Probe launched into reported diesel spill in river

An investigation has been launched after reports of a potential diesel spill on the River Cam, says a water company.

Anglian Water said in a statement on Wednesday morning that it had received reports of a spill on the river at Saffron Walden in Essex.

The BBC has also been told that oil had been seen on the river in parts of Cambridgeshire, including Ickleton, Hinxton and Great Chesterford.

A spokesperson for Anglian Water said it was assisting the Environment Agency (EA) with its investigations to determine the source.

The EA has been approached for comment.

Colin Day, 78, from the Cam Upper River Action Team (CURAT), said he was alerted about the possible spill by a dog walker near Great Chesterford.

"The main thing is to locate the source and to first of all make sure it is cut off, and things follow from there," he said.

"The wildlife on the river is very fragile and it needs to be carefully looked at."

Day said the incident was "disappointing".

An Anglian Water spokesperson added: "We have identified a film on the water course and our technicians are taking samples to confirm what the material is.

"We will aim to trace where it has come from and to absorb the spill, if it's safe for our people to do so."

Collette O'Shea, chief operating officer at the Wellcome Genome Campus in Hinxton, said the campus had taken precautions following reports of the spill.

"We flew straight into action because we were very concerned," she said.

O'Shea said the campus had put two booms into the water to "try and capture whatever it is".

Booms are used to contain oil spills on water surfaces.

"The reason for having two is so we've got a better chance of capturing as much as possible," she added. "We have notified the Environment Agency, but we are hoping things move very quickly as we are concerned about the wildlife here."

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