Clean-up operation underway after diesel and plastic bottles spilled into river after HGV overturned

A clean-up operation is underway near Bangor-on-Dee after plastic bottles and diesel were spilled into a river after a lorry overturned.

The incident took place on the A525 at Halghton Bridge on Bank Holiday Monday.

As a result the road was closed for several hours while a recovery operation took place.

Emergency services were called to the incident and NRW attended the scene to manage the impact of the incident on the environment.

Officers from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) have confirmed they have been assisting clean-up operation at the Emral brook following the incident, which led to a diesel leak and the loss of the vehicle’s cargo of several hundred pre-formed plastic bottles.

Ann Weedy, Operations Manager at Natural Resources Wales said: “Protecting Wales’ environment and wildlife is a huge part of the work we do and our main aim at the moment is to contain the plastic and fuel within the brook.

“Observations to date suggest that the environmental impacts are minimal, with visual impacts also significantly reduced following NRW operative’s quick response.

“Booms have been deployed downstream to recover any remaining fuel from the incident and operatives have been on site to contain and recover the spill.

“This clean-up operation has been successful in reducing any further impacts in the area and we will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that the brook is clear of any contamination following this incident.”

Members of the public are being asked to contact Natural Resources Wales’ incident hotline by calling 0300 065 3000, which is open 24 hours day, seven days a week if they become aware of any pollution.