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Between Pratts Mill Bridge and Hildicks Bridge

Type: Navigation Closure

Waterway(s): Wyrley & Essington Canal

From: 13 March 2026, 1:25pm

To: On-going

Region: West Midlands

Reason: Pollution Incident

Subject to review on: 30 March 2026

Location

Closest waterwayWyrley & Essington Canal
Starts atPratts Mill Bridge, Bloxwich Road
Ends atHildicks Bridge
Upstream winding holePelsall Junction
Downstream winding holeBirchills Junction

Descriptions

Update 17 March 2026, 10:09am

Navigation on the Wyrley & Essington Canal, between Pratts Mill Bridge and Hildicks Bridge, will remain closed while our teams work to contain an ongoing oil pollution incident.

Extra containment booms have been added along the canal to help limit the spread of the pollution.

We will continue to monitor the situation and reopen navigation as soon as it is safe to do so.

Original 13 March 2026, 1:36pm

We have had to close the navigation on the Wyrley & Essington Canal, between Pratts Mill Bridge and Hildicks Bridge, due to an oil pollution incident.

There will be booms in the canal at various points and bridge-holes.

Our local team and Environmental team are working to find a solution, and the Environmental Agency have been notified.

We will update as soon as we have further information.

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