Home / Environment / Oil Spill: 1,000 Bathtubs of Contaminated Water Removed
Oil Spill: 1,000 Bathtubs of Contaminated Water Removed
6 Feb
Summary
- Eighty tonnes of polluted water, equivalent to 1,000 bathtubs, were removed from the oil spill.
- The oil spill was discovered north of Woodford, Northamptonshire on December 28, 2025.
- Environment Agency expects most clean-up work to conclude by Friday, with ongoing monitoring.
Contractors have successfully removed 80 tonnes of polluted water from an oil spill near the A14 in Woodford, Northamptonshire. This significant volume is equivalent to approximately 1,000 bathtubs.
The spill was first reported on December 28, 2025. The Environment Agency has been actively working to contain and clean the affected area. Absorbent materials were installed early in the operation to limit the oil's spread downstream.
Environment Agency incident manager Ben Thornely highlighted the effort to minimize environmental impact and protect local wildlife. The agency expects the majority of the clean-up work to be completed by Friday.
Daily monitoring visits will continue to assess any lingering environmental effects. Local MP Lee Barron is scheduled to visit the site to liaise with residents and community groups, aiming to prevent future occurrences.
Phil Chilvers, who initially reported the spillage, expressed gratitude that the clean-up is finally happening, noting community efforts to expedite the process.
