River Derwent fish killed by toxic spill

Feb 27 2009 by Amy Hunt, The Journal

A TOXIC spill has killed thousands of fish in one of the North East’s best fishing rivers.

It is thought a chemical leaked into the River Derwent near Allensford in County Durham, devastating about six miles of the river to Blackhall Mill.

The Environment Agency is investigating the spill, thought to have happened on Tuesday afternoon, as anglers survey the damage.

It is believed up to 300 brown trout and thousands of other species of fish including grayling, eels and lamprey have died.

The pollution has upset conservationists who have worked to turn the Derwent from a once dirty, industrial stream to one of the best trout rivers in the region.

Plans had been drawn up to bring back salmon, a species which used to be found in abundance in the Derwent.

As well as the fish killed, it is believed the pollution will have a knock-on effect on the ecosystem of the area, including insects, birds and mammals such as otters. It could take years for the river to recover.

Alan Farbridge, secretary of Derwent Angling Association, said: “There have been thousands of fish killed, the whole ecosystem has been destroyed. It’s absolutely tragic.

“We initially thought the whole of the river had been polluted, but it looks like it ends at Blackhall Mill. Thankfully it didn’t get into the Tyne. It’s a lovely place to fish and walk, there are footpaths all along the river. If it had happened in July when all the kids were swimming it could have been terrible. This shouldn’t have happened.”