SEWAGE has been flowing into the River Avon in Salisbury at the site of the River Park project. 

The Environmental Agency tweeted yesterday (October 31) to say that it and Wessex Water had contained the sewage, which was discharged from a burst, blocked sewer. 

It added that employees are on-site to ensure that the sewage pollution is cleaned up safely and has now been contained. Regular monitoring will take place. 

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: "Fortunately, this area had already been cleared of fish for construction of the River Park and pollution is being removed. We are monitoring the situation.

"Staff are onsite investigating more efficient ways to remove the pollution, including the option of removing silt before pumping it to the nearest foul sewer."

Water quality samples were taken to check pollution levels.

MP for Salisbury and South Wiltshire John Glen expressed his concern and said: "I am extremely disappointed by the news that sewage has made its way into the River Avon following a burst and blocked sewer.

“I urge Wessex Water to work with the Environment Agency to act quickly in preventing the spill from further infecting our waterways.”

Councillor Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Waste and Flooding, said: “We are both disgusted and horrified at the sewage contamination that happened this weekend at the Salisbury River Park site.

“Wessex Water has advised us that this was caused due to a blocked sewer under the Castle Street railway bridge, which has then drained into the river through the highway drainage system. While we welcome this explanation, it is not acceptable to allow sewage to spill into this city centre river that is a key part of the Salisbury River Park project.

“The smell and the visual impact of this contamination are unacceptable, and we will be working closely with River Park partners, including the Environment Agency and Defra, plus of course Wessex Water, to ensure it does not happen again under any circumstances.

“This part of the river is currently blocked off due to the project works, and because of this we are fortunate that the majority of the contamination has been contained within the site."

“Wessex Water and Environment Agency teams are currently on site to monitor the water quality and to arrange for the immediate clearance of the contaminated sewage."

Wessex Water released a statement on Twitter saying it is working with the environment agency to minimise the impact and that fish were not affected as they had been removed during the ongoing River Park construction work.