Section of canal closed due to burst sewage pipe

A section of the Stourbridge Canal has closed due to a burst pipe, which has led to raw sewage flowing into the water.

Severn Trent Water said its teams were repairing the pipe, which burst at about 06:00 GMT on Tuesday near Wordsley Basin.

But pollution campaigner the Reverend Paul Cawthorne said he was made aware of the sewage in the water on Sunday, adding: "I can't see any fish or invertebrates surviving in that, they will suffocate and die."

Video shows brown dirt foam in the canal and an oily substance on the surface of the water.

Cawthorne said: "There is a clear pattern of under investment in maintaining effective infrastructure this is causing far more untreated sewage spills than should be happening.

"Instead of water company bosses taking big bonuses and prioritizing the needs of shareholders, I think they should pay more attention to the damage they are doing to our rivers and canals."

Severn Trent advised walkers and dog owners to avoid the area as it continued emergency work.

"Our crews were on site immediately and are carrying out the repairs.

"We want to thank people locally for their patience and understanding and apologise for any disruption."

The Environment Agency have been approached for comment.

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