A housebuilder says it is urgently trying to address an issue at a construction site that is polluting a Nottinghamshire canal. Parish councillors in the village of Awsworth say silt running into Awsworth Canal, which is popular with anglers, is causing fish to die.

Avant Homes, which started work on a 250-house development off Shilo Way earlier this year, said the silt had entered a surface water drain and been discharged into the canal. The Environment Agency said there was no evidence yet to link this pollution to fish deaths but has still not finished its investigation.

“It’s a great concern that the canal is very dirty at the moment, meaning there is a lack of oxygen which is killing the fish,” he said. “It’s disappointing and we do bring it up every time we meet.”

Cllr Spencer described the water as “brown and murky”, adding: “I hope it gets sorted, the canal is very popular for fishing and a lot of people walk down there.”

An Avant Homes spokesperson said: “We have been in liaison with the Environment Agency as we are aware that an amount of silt has entered a surface water drain crossing our development site. This has led to some of the silt being discharged into the canal.

“We have instructed our contractor to repair the pipes as a matter of urgency and will continue to liaise with the Environment Agency to ensure works are completed to its satisfaction.” A spokesperson for the Environment Agency added: “Our officers are continuing to investigate reports of pollution in the Awsworth Canal.

“This includes monitoring the run off from the new development into local water courses. However, we have no evidence yet to link this pollution to fish deaths.”

Source: Nottinghamshire Live 18th December 2023