MP calls for Government task force to tackle Whitehaven Harbour 'orange water'

The orange water was first noticed in Whitehaven in November 2022, and since then questions have been raised over the cause of water discolouration and any possible solutions.

According to the Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners website: "The contaminated water is getting into Queens Dock through something called a culvert.

"A culvert is a tunnel or pipe that allows water to flow under things like roads and railways. In Queens Dock, the culvert is releasing water from Bransty Beck and a drainage system in Bransty railway tunnel.

"Bransty railway tunnel takes trains underground between Corkickle and Whitehaven. In recent years, this tunnel has started to flood. Tests have shown that the floodwater has iron ochre in it, which makes sense because the tunnel runs through areas where coal is found.

"As soon as the contaminated water began to arrive in the harbour, we started working with Whitehaven Marina Ltd, the Environment Agency, Network Rail, the Coal Authority, Cumberland Council and our local MP to test the water, find the source and look for a way to stop it."

But MP Josh MacAlister has been left disgruntled by the slow progress made so far, and has now asked for a government task force to be made to tackle it.

He said: "The issue of the orange water in Whitehaven harbour is still a major concern for residents in the area. We’ve recently reached the two year mark since the problem began.

"The issue is there are lots of different agencies involved and, frankly, there hasn’t been enough banging together of heads.

"Very recently I met with the relevant minister for the department for environment and I’ve asked for her to help me set up a cross-government task force to look at it with relevant officials.

"The nub of the issue at the moment sits with network rail and the clearing of chippings underneath the current rail track. Frankly, that is taking far too long and I’m on the case with them to ensure that speeds up."

"I’m doing everything I can to get the right people round the table to make sure things move at the pace they need to"

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: "We know that the orange water in Whitehaven harbour originates from historic mining in the area. Our focus is on keeping the railway running safely through Bransty tunnel and as part of this we are planning a full renewal of the track and drainage in 2025. Schemes like this are costly and subject to strict processes to ensure that we adequately plan for the closure of the line and it is value for money for the taxpayer."