INVESTIGATIONS are continuing into the cause of polluted water in Whitehaven harbour.

The discoloured water began entering the harbour from a culvert in Queens Dock at the end of last year and investigations into the cause have been ongoing.

Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners have previously said they are 'reasonably confident' that the water is connected to historic mining and have been working alongside Cumberland Council, Network Rail, The Coal Authority and The Environment Agency, to resolve the issue.

Ground surveys have taken place on land above a railway tunnel which takes the Cumbrian Coast line under the town and Network Rail say an additional mining risk assessment is now taking place.

Hugh Price, who has a yacht at the marina and races with the Whitehaven Sailing & Boating Association, said: “This type of pollution in a harbour is rare in the UK and it is sad to see such a well-run marina being impacted by it.

“This pollution has stained the hulls of some boats, but nothing that cannot be cleaned off and I’ve heard of no actual damage to yachts.

“It’s just sheer bad luck that this pollution appeared out of the blue last December and continues to pour out of that culvert.

“The ochre pollution is an eyesore that the town could do without as the marina is otherwise so attractive.

“I have sailed a boat out of the harbour for many years and look forward to this lovely old Georgian harbour getting back to normal.”

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Our teams are continuing to help investigate the exact source of the water discolouration in Whitehaven harbour.

“This involves ongoing technical surveys of groundwater conditions in the land above a railway tunnel which takes the Cumbrian Coast line under the town.

“An additional mining risk assessment is now also taking place to understand how historic mine workings have an impact on the railway tunnel and surrounding area.

“When these tests are complete, we will share the information with the council and other agencies to help get to the bottom of where the discoloured water is coming from.”

Deanne Shallcross, the new CEO of Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners, said: "One of my priorities as the new CEO of Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners is to work with the team at Whitehaven Marina Limited in keeping pressure on the relevant authorities and agencies for answers, and ultimately action to clear the discoloured water in our historic harbour.

"It is frustrating that neither WHC nor WML controls what is being discharged from the culvert into Queens Dock.

"We await the results of the latest hydrological and mining study that is taking place and trust that subsequent discussions will identify, as a matter of urgency, what steps can be taken to resolve the contamination issue, which has been running for too long."