CAMPAIGNERS warned today that they will be “watching closely” to see if the government financially commits to protecting the environment following a toxic chemical spill in the West Midlands.

The Environment Agency said it was investigating metal finishing company Anochrome Ltd after a sodium cyanide spill in a canal in Walsall on Monday.

Walsall Council has declared it a major incident and told the public to avoid 12 miles of canals and towpaths in the area.

It warned that there is a potential serious health risk to anyone who has direct contact with the water.

According to the UK Health Security agency, exposure to sodium cyanide can cause nausea, dizziness and loss of consciousness. 

Dozens of dead fish were seen in the water following the spill.

Anochrome, which describes itself as “environmentally aware” on its website, confirmed that there had been an incident and that chemicals had entered the canal as a result. 

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “Pollution of this kind is unacceptable and the impact on wildlife and the environment can be severe. 

“We will take robust enforcement action if non-compliance is uncovered.”

James Wallace, head of environmental campaign group River Action, said the incident serviced as “another reminder” that Britain’s waterways are being poisoned by toxic spills. 

He warned that environmental watchdogs have been “stripped of resources,” making it “virtually impossible” for them to hold polluters to account.

“It is a crisis inherited by the government of Sir Keir Starmer and in the Chancellor’s first Budget in October, environmental campaigners will be watching closely for demonstrations of financial commitment to protect our environment and waterways,” Mr Wallace added.