Wolverhampton anglers shocked as Bushbury Pool drained

Fishermen today voiced their concerns after a pool in Wolverhampton was all but drained. Privately-owned Bushbury Pool in Low Hill is now almost empty.

Fishermen said they believed some of the carp had been sold for up to £200 but a great many other breeds including bream and roach had died in the draining process.

They also claimed some fish had been dumped in nearby canals. Men have been seen down at the pool with boats and nets and Environment Agency staff visited the scene yesterday.

The pool, which sits on 4.4 acres of land and is accessed through security gates, was recently sold to a private buyer after going on the market for £150,000.

One local fisherman, who did not want to be named, said: "It is heartbreaking to see what is going on at Bushbury Pool.

"There were carp in that pool weighing up to 30lbs. They have either been sold for up to £200, dumped in local canals, which cannot support them, or have died.

"I have been a fishermen for 50 years and this is extremely distressing. I have never seen anything like it."

Environment Agency spokesman Catherine Ellis said: "This is a privately owned pond, not linked to any other watercourse, and draining a fish pond by the owner is not an offence in itself.

"However, moving fish or draining water into controlled waters without the relevant permission from the Environment Agency would be an offence.

"We are currently looking into the matter to ensure that no fisheries offences have been committed."

Before being sold, the pool was used as a syndicated fishing area. It was sold off with the options of being kept as a fishing pool or being filled in.

It has played an important part in Wolverhampton's history as in 1941 the water was used so firefighters could extinguish a huge blaze at a former tool factory in Fourth Avenue.

Elsewhere, thousands of fish have died in Titford Canal and Pools in Oldbury after oxygen levels in the water plummeted.

By Elizabeth Joyce