Alexandra Wales - 3-Sep-2007
- Flood defences at Warden, Northumberland,
are being improved by the Environment Agency
as part of a £1000,000 maintenance
programme.
The existing flood wall needs reinforcing
to restore the defence back to good condition.
It was built in the town on the South Tyne
over 50 years ago, and reduces the risk
of flooding to 26 homes and businesses in
the town.
The upgrade comes after officers did emergency
repair work to reinforce the bank in January
2005 when 20 properties were flooded from
a breach in the bank.
Contractors have recently started on the
earthworks – phase one – where 18,000 tonnes
of clay will be imported to rebuild the
600 metre long flood bank, upstream of Warden
bridge. The clay will be used to widen and
strengthen the banks while a heavy duty
plastic mesh will stop rabbits burrowing
holes which could weaken it.
Flood defence specialist Steve Wilkinson
said: “The work at Warden is important and
an essential part of our continuous work
to monitor and maintain flood defences across
the region. It’s vital we keep them in good
condition so that they are ready to cope
at times of flooding.”
The new wider banks will also make it easier
for Environment Agency staff to access them
with machinery for future maintenance.
Phase two of the works will start in 2008
and concentrate on the remaining 400 metres
of flood banks and walls that make up the
Warden defence system.
Around 5 million people, in 2 million properties,
live in flood risk areas in England and
Wales. The Environment Agency has an important
role in warning people about the risk of
flooding, and in reducing the likelihood
of flooding from rivers and the sea.
To find out if you are at risk of flooding
visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood
or call Floodline on 0845 988 1188.
Ends
Notes to editors
The Warden defences were constructed over
50 years ago following flooding in 1955,
and consist of 1,000 metres of flood banks
and walls.
The scheme alleviates the risk of flooding
to 26 homes and businesses.
+ More
Environment Agency clear up flushes out
27,000kg of rubbish
Jane Nower - 4-Sep-2007 - A choked waterway
in Lewisham has been transformed into a
clear-flowing stream after more than 27,000kgs
of rubbish were removed from the Chuddley
Brook, a small urban channel of water.
Restoring the waterway to its former natural
state took a six-strong team of Environment
Agency staff seven weeks, as years of abuse
had seen the channel filled to overflowing
with discarded items.
The fly-tipped items in the channel between
Chudleigh Road and Dressington Avenue in
the Honor Oak and Ladywell area included
toilet bowls, bicycles, mops, clothes airers,
turf and even human waste.
Maintenance of the two km stream - which
runs from a natural source at Otford Crescent
to Slagrove Place - has been undertaken
by the Environment Agency on behalf of London
Borough of Lewisham.
However, riperian ownership still remains
in the hands of local people living near
the river.
Tony Coe, a technical specialist for the
Environment Agency’s operations delivery
team, said: "Although the watercourse
is not accessible to members of the public,
it is still very important for carrying
storm run off water down to the weir at
Lady Fields. With the heavy rains we experienced
in July and any future bad weather it is
crucial that this area is kept clear of
debris. By clearing it out we hope that
we have improved the appearance of the area,
and that people living nearby will be more
willing to keep it clear in the future.
"I would also add that fly-tipping
is illegal and anyone found dumping rubbish
could be liable for prosecution. Fines can
be anything up to £20,000 with the
risk of imprisonment as well."
The Quaggy River Flood Alleviation Scheme
was also called in to action to help manage
the excessive rains during July, less than
two months after its official opening on
5 June 2007. The scheme, which brought the
river back above ground and back to life,
protected more than 600 properties in the
boroughs of Lewisham and Greenwich.
In particular, flood storage areas at Sutcliffe
Park and Manor Park safely stored more than
60,000 cubic metres of floodwater thereby
protecting homes in Blackheath, Eltham and
Lewisham from the River Quaggy. Ends Notes
for editors Images attached show examples
of the Chuddley Brook before and after the
clearance.
+ More
Environment Agency short listed for prestigious
CIPR PRide award
Michelle Dolphin - 5-Sep-2007- We are happy
to announce that the Environment Agency
Midlands Region has been short listed for
a CIPR (Chartered Institute of Public Relations)
PRide Award 2007 recognising our work to
reduce fly-tipping and to make Derbyshire
a better place.
The Environment Agency’s BREW (Business
Resource Efficiency and Waste) Campaign
has been short listed in the public sector
category. The judging process is rigorous
with a national panel of industry experts
assessing the short listed entries.
Colin Farrington, CIPR Director General
and Chairman of the judges, said: ‘To reach
the PRide Awards short list is a remarkable
achievement as year on year the quantity
and quality of entries increases and competition
gets stronger. The finalists are testament
to the good PR work going on outside of
London and across sectors. They should feel
proud of their achievement and their chosen
profession’s invaluable contribution to
business and society’.
The BREW campaign targets small businesses
that produce waste in Derby and South Derbyshire.
We wanted to make local residents and businesses
aware that fly-tipping is illegal and that
they have a ‘duty of care’ to dispose of
their waste properly.
Mark Sitton-Kent, Environment Agency Director
for the Midlands, said: ‘ We have seen a
12% reduction in fly-tipping in Derby and
South Derbyshire since the campaign began.
The first ASBO for fly-tipping was also
achieved by the team. Communication is an
important factor in raising awareness of
the issues and to be recognised for this
by the leading PR experts is a great achievement’.
Further information for media contact Michelle
Dolphin on 0121 711 5829/5855. Contact for
media only. All other enquiries please contact
08708 506506
Further information
There were 1456 entries to the Pride Awards
this year.
There are eleven regions taking part in
the Pride Awards- Wales, East Anglia, Home
Counties South and Wessex, Midlands, North
East, North West, Northern Ireland, Scotland,
Thames and Chiltern, West of England and
Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
There are 23 award categories – for a full
list visit www.cipr.co.uk/pridewards
Midlands winners will be announced on 30
November 2007.
