WASTE oil has spilled into the sea at a harbour in Moray with a road forced to close as a cleanup operation was launched.
Workers from Moray Council started a clean-up operation at Buckie Harbour on Monday after a waste oil tank valve “failed” at the site on Sunday evening.
The local authority said only a “small” amount of oil spilled into the water with the majority captured by soaking equipment.
Local SNP Councillor Sonya Warren said the road at the harbour had to be closed while gritters dealt with the “slippery bits”.
She said in a statement on social media: “There has been a fuel spill at Buckie Harbour.
“The road is temporarily closed. Council teams are currently working hard to clean everything up.
“A small amount has gone in the water, this is also being dealt with appropriately.
“The gritter is working along the road and has dealt with most of the slippery bits, however cleaning work is ongoing.”
A Moray Council spokesperson confirmed the majority of the oil was “contained” on the road and that it was now back open after being cleared.
They said: “We were advised that a waste oil tank valve at Buckie Harbour failed yesterday evening, releasing a quantity of waste oil into the yard.
“It was quickly identified by members of the harbour team, and the vast majority of this was contained on the road.
“A very small amount went into the sea, but was captured by soak equipment.
“The road was temporarily closed this morning so that any remaining oil could be cleared up.”
