Brislington Brook, which flows through St Anne's Wood and Nightingale Valley, is cared for by Friends of Brislington Brook (FoBB).   Once a thriving aquatic environment in Bristol, it has recently been devastated by a major chemical pollution incident, following an industrial fire in Emery Road.   The 'lethal cocktail of chemicals', as described by the Environmental Agency, wiped out the critically endangered European eel population.  Sadly, the eels are the last aquatic creature to die as they have the capacity to clamber out of the water and hide in crevices.  The brook is now devoid of aquatic life: barren and lifeless. This has had a devastating and heartbreaking effect on both FoBB volunteers and the wider community.  The brook was not only a natural habitat for numerous species, but also a place for our community to connect with nature. 

The impact of this incident is severe and far-reaching.  The loss of biodiversity is not just detrimental to the natural ecosystem but can significantly affect the local environment and community. Despite the seriousness of the situation, there are currently no systematic measures in place to prevent such pollution events in the future or to restore the brook back to its natural state.

On the 2nd September, FoBB issued an alert on our social media sites.  We instructed our local community - parents and dog owners - to keep their charges out of the brook.  This alert is still in place.   The Environmental Agency has advised that it is outside its remit to retest the water quality.  It maintains that  retesting has to be done by a Bristol City Council (BCC) Environmental Health Officer.   Only then can FoBB give the all clear. 

Despite FoBB making numerous requests to BCC to visit Brislington Brook and assess the situation, nothing has happened.   BCC is both the landowner and a designated Category 1 Responder (Civil Contingencies Act, 2004).  This means it has statutory obligations to reduce the impact of incidents that threaten serious damage to human welfare or the environment.  As a matter of procedural fairness, it has a duty to advise and update the public in a transparent manner following a significant chemical pollution event affecting local community spaces.   By failing to respond, BCC is  reneging on its duty. 

We propose that a BCC Environmental Health Officer collect samples from Brislington Brook so that we can ensure the water is safe for children and dogs to paddle in.   Additionally we propose that BCC should lead on a collaborative  project with environmental organisations the Environmental Agency and Wessex Water - to create a strategic plan for habitat restoration. 

By taking these vital steps, BCC can demonstrate their commitment to environmental stewardship and public health, and most importantly, it can help bring our beloved brook back to life.  It is time for accountability and action to ensure that another catastrophic event like this does not happen again.

Please sign this petition to urge BCC to take immediate and responsible action to sample and restore Brislington Brook for the future health and enjoyment of our community and environment.