Locals horrified after river turns to foam in Manchester - as officials launch probe

By RYAN PROSSER

Published: | Updated:

Locals in a Greater Manchester town were left horrified today when their river turned to foam.

Roads and cars near the River Tame in Dukinfield were covered in white bubbles as the mysterious substance was blown from the water by the wind.

Pictured showed foam floating along the river, amid reports of pollution from nearby chemical plants. Nearby streets were shown covered with the foam, while a clip showed huge clumps blowing on vehicles.

Officials have now launched an investigation into the cause of the substance.

Residents were left horrified today after spotting a foamy substance on the River Tame in Manchester

Residents were left horrified today after spotting a foamy substance on the River Tame in Manchester

Foamy bubbles seen floating down the river and under a bridge

Foamy bubbles seen floating down the river and under a bridge

Bubbles were pictured blown by the wind onto nearby streets, in what was labelled by residents 'an absolute disgrace'

Bubbles were pictured blown by the wind onto nearby streets, in what was labelled by residents 'an absolute disgrace'

Professor Jamie Woodward, who teaches geography at the University of Manchester labelled the scenes 'depressing'.

He added: 'This is how we treat our precious rivers'. 

Local Sam Pedder captured the scenes on camera. He said: 'This is unbelievable, in the 34 years I've lived down on the River Tame in Dukinfield I have never seen it this bad.

'Something has obviously been dumped into it further up stream and caused this absolute disgrace.

An Environment Agency Spokesperson said: 'We would like to thank members of the public who reported the presence of foam in Dukinfield around the River Tame in Tameside.

'Environment Agency officers are currently out on site investigating the source and if there are any possible environmental impacts.'

Large clumps of foam from the River Tame on the roadside

Large clumps of foam from the River Tame on the roadside

An investigation has been underway to identify the cause of the substance, amid concerns that the river may have been polluted

An investigation has been underway to identify the cause of the substance, amid concerns that the river may have been polluted

A section of the River Tame covered in suds amid reports of pollution from nearby chemical plants

A section of the River Tame covered in suds amid reports of pollution from nearby chemical plants

People reacted to the bizarre pictures online.

Vicky Haynes wrote: 'What in gods holy name is it? Looks like a foam party you see abroad.'

'Bloody disgrace. Something has to be done about this', another resident wrote.

Dawny Acton wrote: 'There was a heron trying to fish in it a couple of weeks ago. I've just rang the environment agency to report it. Everyone needs to ring the environment agency.'

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