Walsall Canal Reopens After Nearly Yearlong Toxic Zinc Cyanide Spill

The Walsall Canal is set to reopen to boaters on June 5, nearly a year after a severe pollution incident in August 2024 when 4,000 litres of toxic zinc and sodium cyanide solution spilled into the canal at Pleck, devastating local wildlife. The Canal & River Trust, along with multiple agencies and contractors, worked extensively to contain the spill, remove approximately 526 tonnes of contaminated silt, and restore the canal's ecosystem, though full wildlife recovery remains uncertain. The cleanup cost the Trust hundreds of thousands of pounds, which it plans to reclaim from the responsible company, Anochrome Ltd. In parallel, the Macclesfield Canal is expected to reopen by the end of June following repairs from a breach caused by a leak in March, with efforts including fish rescues and structural restorations underway. Additionally, Sirius Academy North in Hull reopened fully on June 3 after a brief closure due to flooding, ensuring students could continue exam preparations. These reopenings mark significant progress in restoring vital waterways and educational facilities disrupted by environmental and infrastructure challenges.