Stourton Top Lock to Wordsley Junction, Stourbridge

Navigation remains closed between Stourton Top Lock and Wordsley Junction while Severn Trent continues to carry out clean-up and remediation work. These operations will continue over the weekend as efforts to improve water quality progress.

Ammonia levels within the canal are thankfully reducing, although monitoring will continue while recovery work remains underway.

A further update will be provided on or before Tuesday 10 March.

A serious pollution incident has affected the Stourbridge Canal between Bells Mill Bridge and Stourton Top Lock.

A foul sewer operated by Severn Trent ruptured, resulting in untreated sewage flowing across an adjacent field and into the canal. Although the discharge has now been stopped, a large amount entered the water before the flow was contained. The exact volume is not yet known.

As a result of the incident, navigation is temporarily closed from Stourton Top Lock to Wordsley Junction. Boats moored within the affected section are being contacted directly.

We are concerned about the impact on fish and wildlife due to elevated ammonia levels within the water. Aerators have been deployed by Severn Trent to help restore oxygen levels. Despite these efforts, fish mortality has been reported, and oxygen levels may fluctuate over the coming days while remediation continues.

Warning signage has been installed along the towpath. Boaters and towpath users are advised to avoid contact with the water. Dog owners should keep pets on leads and prevent them from entering the canal.

A further update will be issued as soon as more information becomes available.

We have a Pollution Incident caused by a burst pipe and have had to close the navigation of the Stourbridge Canal from Stourton Bottom Lock, 4, to Wordsley Jct, Stourbridge.

Our local Area Operations team, Environmental team, the Environment Agency and Severn Trent are all working to find a solution.

We will update the notice as soon as we have any further information.