When there’s something strange in your neighbourhood, who you gonna call?
Middlesbrough Council’s Area Care team!
Hemlington residents were concerned this week to see a section of the Bluebell Beck in their area coloured a luminous green – not dissimilar to the ‘river of slime’ from Ghostbusters.
However, there was a much more simple – non-paranormal – explanation for the discolouring.
Following the heavy rainfall from over a week ago, concerns had been raised of surface water gathering in the Bridport Grove area.
As a result, Middlesbrough Council’s Area Care team visited the site on Thursday, May 18 to investigate whether there was a drain blockage.
Part of this work involves putting a – completely safe – dye into the drain water to see how it flows. The dye is an organic product, non-toxic and completely harmless to people, animals and plants. It is designed to quickly disappear.
Two of the first people to be alerted to the matter were Hemlington ward councillors Nicky Walker and Jeanette Walker.
In a statement they said: “We would like to thank the Hemlington residents for their concerns and for contacting Middlesbrough Council directly and their local councillors.
“That enabled us to get a quick answer on this matter so we have been able to reassure people. We’d also like to say thank you to the council’s contact centre staff for their quick response.”
A spokesman for Middlesbrough Council said: “We can confirm a drainage investigation was being carried out on Thursday morning in the Bridport Grove area of Hemlington.
“As part of this investigation a drain dye was used. The organic dye in question is non-toxic and harmless.
“The dye made its way via a culverted watercourse which in turn has dispensed into Bluebell Beck.
“This dye itself will quickly dissipate and water will return to normal.
“We have a crew on becks maintenance who will check the watercourse to ensure there is nothing restricting the flow to allow it to clear.”