A resident in east Reading has raised some alarming concerns after pollution in the Kennet meant that almost 20 swans had to be rescued. 

Simon Bramwell, 52, who lives on Cholmeley Road said that the current situation is dire, and the council must take action regarding the state of the waterways.

"Within my community, we have had ongoing issues with pollution which have recently taken a turn for the worst," he said.

"Chemical pollution of the Kennet has been going on for a while. This latest round of it started on July 17 due to that huge amount of rainfall we saw."

Mr Bramwell said that the drains in the area get backed up very quickly which causes oil slicks within the roads. 

Residents also then noticed that there were masses of thick oil in the Kennet which was subsequently coating local swan's wings and bodies as they swan through it. 

"The swans congregate at the end of the road because people go there to feed them," Mr Bramwell continued. 

"They were becoming covered in chemicals and oil. That was then reported to Reading Borough Council but nothing got done about it."

Mr Bramwell said that things escalated in the past few days when the community saw multiple swans that were absolutely covered in the thick oil. 

The swans were then trying to clean themselves and subsequently were ingesting poison and becoming very ill. 

Swan Support, a rescue charity that rescues swans in conditions such as this, rescued over 18 swans in the space of 24 hours after reports came in of the situation. 

"They also installed some floating pollution barriers to stop more stuff coming out of the drains into the water," Mr Bramwell said. 

"Because so many of us called up Thames Water and the Environment Agency finally stepped up and they have also added barriers now. We are trying at the moment to see what the council is going to do about it long term."

A spokesperson for the council said that they share the concerns of residents regarding the recent pollution in the River Kennet in east Reading which required the rescue of several swans.

They said "We have raised the matter with the Environment Agency which is the body responsible for investigating pollution to waterways and damage to the natural environment.

"The health of our waterways and wildlife in Reading is extremely important to the Council and we will be willing to cooperate with any Environment Agency investigations in any way we can."

They also said that they would like to ask residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity that could result in river pollution to the Environment Agency for investigation.