A Wirral distribution company responsible for an oil spillage into a brook has been fined ?8,000 and ordered to pay costs of ?5,854.

Approximately 5,000 litres of bio-diesel, consisting of 95% low sulphur diesel and 5% rape seed oil, spilled into Arrowe Brook after a vehicle reversed into a fuel oil tank at Wirral Business Park in Upton. The tank was being used by DHL Freight and Contract Logistics Ltd as a temporary fuel store in the event of a fuel dispute.

The Environment Agency attended the site after being alerted by Merseyside Fire Brigade and the defendant company. Environment Agency Officers discovered that the fuel had entered the brook via surface water drains located on the company?s car park. The officers took samples and told the regional operations director of the company that clean up works needed to be arranged.

The following day the officers revisited the site and saw that oil absorbent booms had been put in place to trap any surface contamination.

An Ecological Appraisal Officer from the Agency revealed that the spill had a significant impact on the invertebrate population for at least two kilometres and suspected impact on at least a further six kilometres.

Speaking after the hearing Environmental Crime Officer Dave Hogg said: "The actions of the company were reckless in admission by their failure to ensure adequate protection measures in the use of the tank.

"In hindsight the company recognised that a more rigid or robust protection system should have been placed around the tank. While we welcome any lessons learnt, it is clearly a large company that has the capacity to invest in resources to ensure it doesn?t pollute the environment."

Members of the public can report environmental incidents by contacting 0800 80 70 60.

Notes

On Thursday 23 February 2006 at Wirral Magistrates? Court, DHL Freight and Contract Logistics (UK) Limited, of Orbital Park, 178-188 Great South West Road, Hounslow, Middlesex, was found guilty of the following offence:

On 7 February 2005 at Arrowe Brook Road, Upton, Wirral, it caused polluting matter to enter controlled waters, namely Arrowe Brook, contrary to section 85(1) and section 85(6) of the Water Resources Act 1991.

Author:
 Alix Bell
 
Date published:
 24-Feb-2006
 
Keywords:
 Prosecution, controlled waters
 
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/1308080