SIR,

News recently came to my knowledge of a pollution incident on Pennington Brook. During a flash flood the stretch between Bonnywell Road and Landside became polluted, apparently affecting a few hundred fish including chub, roach and bream.

It seems such a pity that after so much investment, time and effort this was allowed to happen. Great strides have been reached by the water authorities in recent years, cleaning up water sources large and small to enable fish life to thrive.

But, alas, there is still the inevitable threat from a build up of sewage and other filth, which is poised to seriously threaten the progress of good work which has been achieved so far.

I personally have fished in and around Leigh for 40 years and the last time there were fish in any amount living in the brook was well over 30 years ago, when I used it as a schoolboy.

After that the water quality was always in poor or semi-polluted condition. Up until recently, when there has been a big improvement in quality and the recent shoals of fish returning to the brook are a testimony to that.

Therefore, I would like to know what action will be taken to prevent any other occurrences like this, and who or which body is responsible for letting this outbreak happen in the first place.

David Hill

Secretary of Westleigh Angling Club