A CHEMICAL leak in Witney's river could have ‘devastating environmental consequences’ are urgent calls are made for action.

People were warned to stay out of the River Windrush over the bank holiday weekend after firefighters were called amid reports that chemicals were leaking from a factory into Queen Emma’s Dyke.

Serious concerns have been raised over the spill – with one district councillor saying he will demand a full report on the matter and investigate whether prosecution is necessary.

Labour’s Andrew Coles, who represents Witney on West Oxfordshire District Council, said the timing of the spill was particularly troubling.

He said: “I’m very worried about what happened, particularly with it being such a beautiful bank holiday weekend and lots of people wanting to get outdoors and enjoy the river.

“Chemical discharge in our rivers and watercourses is a very serious matter. The pollution can be carried downstream and can potentially spread over large areas affecting the health of the river and damaging the precious ecosystem and all the wildlife that depend on it.

“I will be asking for a full report at the next meeting of the district council’s environment overview and scrutiny committee and looking at whether a formal prosecution might be appropriate if any fault or blame is established.”

A warning was issued on Saturday after Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue were called to Avenue One in the early hours of the morning.

Five fire engines were sent along with a specialist hazardous materials vehicles to help identify the chemicals, stop the leak and protect the area.

As the firefighters worked to avoid further damage, the Environment Agency launched an investigation into the cause of the spill.

At present, it is not known where the leak came from or exactly which chemicals spilled into the river.

While the incident was ongoing, a spokesman said that water in Queen Emma’s Dyke and the River Windrush may be discoloured brown and red and urged people not to drink it.

County councillor for Witney Laura Price said this was not the first time Queen Emma's Dyke has been polluted.

In October last year high levels of ammonia in Queen Emma's Dyke and Colwell Brook resulted in the death of 1,700 fish.

Ms Price said: "This isn't the first time the dyke has been polluted with devastating environmental consequences. I hope the Environment Agency is able to investigate fully and make suggestions for how it can be prevented in future.

"Oxfordshire's fire service did a fantastic job responding to the incident. I'm hugely grateful to them for acting so swiftly and effectively."

Mr Coles has said that greater awareness around the damage such spills can cause may go some way towards reducing incidents in future.

He said: "Greater awareness of the spills and the serious damage they can cause is very important, particularly concerning the Windrush which is, and has been, key to the development of the entire town and led to our highly regarded, and internationally recognised, woollen and blanket industry.

"Regarding this particular spill, I want to see precisely what happened first and what was the cause before we look at what penalties should apply if fault or blame can be attributed."

According to environmentlaw.org.uk, serious water pollution offences taken to crown court can lead to an unlimited fine and up to five years imprisonment.