|
|
 |
| |
Heath clean - up team Bob Gillam, Ian Shepherd, Ben Bewsher and Rob Renwick |
Lorry crash fuel spill sparks Heath pollution fears
AN environmental disaster was narrowly averted on Hampstead Heath when toxic diesel fuel spilled from a crashed delivery lorry.
Fire crews, a conservation team and experts from the Environment Agency rushed to the scene of the accident in the Vale of Health last Wednesday to stop the fuel poisoning wildlife and polluting Heath ponds.
The lorry was taking furniture to a home in the Vale of Health when it mounted a kerb and ripped open its fuel tank.
Fuel was found in the Vale of Health pond – home to swans and coots – and the Heath’s conservation team laid out booms and placed barley straw in the pond to soak up any residue.
The pond is at the top of the Heath’s water chain and the source of the River Fleet, sparking fears that the diesel, if not contained, could pollute streams and swimming ponds.
Conservation officer Bob Gillam said: “We have managed to get it under control, but we’re watching carefully for any danger to wildlife.”
The Dutch delivery company whose lorry crashed has been asked to help meet the cost of cleaning up the spillage, believed to be more than £2,000. The lorry driver has been questioned by police.
A Heath spokeswoman said: “Heath staff acted quickly in limiting the spread of the diesel spill, then in helping to contain it. Their prompt actions prevented what could have been a potential catastrophe.”
|
 |
|
|
|
