Local MP Robert Largan has welcomed a clean-up operation underway in the Peak Forest Canal, after a source of oil pollution was found. 

Last week, many people reported that oil pollution had appeared in the waterway between Furness Vale and New Mills Marina. 

The High Peak MP immediately raised the issue with the Canal & River Trust (CRT), which is responsible for the canal, urging them to clean up the pollution and investigate the cause to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Following this pressure, the CRT announced that they were closing the Peak Forest Canal at Bridge 29 between New Mills and Furness Vale to install booms, preventing the pollution from spreading.

CRT has now identified a suspect boat, with the help of a member of the public’s drone footage, which appears to have suffered a very slow diesel leak. Immediate action has already been taken by pumping out the boat’s diesel tank. 

CRT will continue to monitor the situation daily, removing any emulsified diesel that has built up along the canal. 

Robert Largan, MP for the High Peak, said: 

“I’m still pushing the Canal & River Trust to make sure the pollution in the Peak Forest Canal is cleaned up as quickly as possible.

“I’m pleased that they have found the source of the pollution and are taking swift action to contain it and clean it up. 

“Hopefully the canal will be open again soon for everyone to enjoy.”