Canal boat users left with two-day detour

Canal boat users are facing a two-day detour due to lock closures imposed to contain pollution following a fire in the Black Country – as it emerged a second stretch of water is now affected.

More than 10,000 fish have been killed as a result of pollution in Birmingham Old Main Line Canal, Wolverhampton, following an arson attack that destroyed two warehouses containing aerosols, paints and oils more than a week ago at Residual Brand Management in Ettingshall.

The fire forced British Waterways to shut the canal from Lock 10, which is behind industrial land in Fox's Lane, three miles away.

But narrowboat users say it has now branched off again, spreading another three miles to Essington and Wyrley Canal in Wednesfield.

The only alternative route between Birmingham and Wolverhampton would be to go via Stourport, a diversion of two days by narrowboat.