Salisbury river allegedly polluted with vegetable oil

A man from Bemerton has said that it took him eight washes to clean his dogs from oil after swimming in one of Salisbury's rivers.

Nicholas Stockwell, 50, regularly walks his three dogs along the River Nadder near Churchfield's industrial estate.

He said that oil from the industrial estate has entered the river, which he noticed after this dogs were "covered" in fat after swimming.

READ MORE: Dogs Trust Salisbury warns owners about walking their pets in heat

"I made a complaint to the Environmental Agency on May 25 - they have done nothing. I'm just trying to help them. The worst thing is Salisbury City Council are in charge of the banks - and they were not aware of what's going on.

"My dogs got covered in fat, it took hours to get it off, and eight washes.

"What about the wildlife? There's no birds - nothing."

Salisbury City Council has since put up a sign by the river warning passers by. It reads: "Please note we have received reports of a potential discharge of vegetable oil into the river in this area."

The sign by the river (Image: Newsquest)

A spokesperson for Salisbury City Council said: "We received a report from a member of the public regarding this matter on June 20.

"An SCC Officer visited the site on 20 June to investigate and they installed a sign informing people to be cautious as there appears to be an unknown substance in the margin of the bank. The Officer then reported this matter to the Environment Agency.

Possible signs of oil in the river (Image: Newsquest)

"The EA was chased up Monday, June 24 and they have confirmed that this is an active investigation on their system. They did not provide any more information."

The Environmental Agency confirmed that after the complaint was made in May, they visited and carried out all the relevant checks, but they could not find any oil at that time.

River Nadder (Image: Newsquest)

They added that they were "very grateful" for the complaint that was made so efficiently, and will work with partners to see what else can be done.

Anyone who spots pollution are asked to ring their 24/7 hotline at 0800 807060.

Cllr Nettle, for Fisherton and Bemerton village ward added: "I am extremely disappointed to see this and especially as only recently we viewed brown trout in the Nadder which indicates a healthy, non polluted and safe environment!"