Francesca Glyn-Jones -
24-Sep-2007
The Environment Agency’s fisheries experts
are inviting North East fisheries managers
and fishing clubs to learn how to make their
fisheries more resilient to damage from
predators.
Predatory seabirds like cormorants have
been a concern for fishery owners for some
time because of the potential impact on
their fish stocks. Stillwater fisheries
attract large numbers of cormorants, so
there can be significant losses of fish.
Experts will explain and demonstrate methods
of protecting fish from fish eating birds
at a free open day on Saturday, October
13 at the Angel of the North fishery complex.
In the past some have opted for lethal
control of cormorants such as shooting,
but in many cases this is neither effective
or appropriate and it is illegal unless
a licence is granted by DEFRA.
Fisheries technical officer Gareth Pedley
at the Environment Agency said: “We are
finding that increasing numbers of cormorants
are targeting fish in inland fisheries in
the region, increasing pressure on fish
stocks. It’s important that we find new
environmentally friendly solutions for fisheries
owners to protect their fish.”
Experts will show alternative methods including
the use of refuges, in which fish can safely
hide away from predators. These can be cages
or hideaways created out of natural materials
such as willow and hazel woven together,
and these techniques will be shown at the
event.
For further details and to book a place
for the free event call Sarah Baillie on
0191 2034138. The Environment Agency is
encouraging fisheries managers and fishing
clubs to attend.
+ More
Environment Agency pushes ahead to finish
Hexham flood scheme
Francesca Glyn-Jones - 24-Sep-2007
Environment Agency staff are pushing forward
with the Hexham flood alleviation scheme
to get the work finished before the winter
weather sets in.
Officers are working against the clock
to make sure the final pieces of the complex
£8 million scheme, which will protect
around 250 homes and businesses, are in
place by the end of the autumn.
The Environment Agency’s contractor is
working in different locations across Hexham
including a team of divers finishing off
work on a floodwater outfall pipe at Tyne
Green Park, and digger operators at Wydon
Burn Reservoir which is being transformed
into a flood storage area, wetland and fishery.
Workmen are also installing trash screens
at Tanner’s Yard and Hexham House Park which
will help prevent debris blocking watercourses.
Environment Agency engineer Nigel Darling
said: “The flood scheme in Hexham has been
a major undertaking and although it is not
quite finished, it has already helped to
reduce flooding in the town on a number
of occasions.
“Heavy rain in July threatened more than
100 homes and businesses downstream of Tanner’s
Yard but our work on Wydon Burn Reservoir
meant that we were able to divert flood
water from the burn into the storage area,
which helped to prevent millions of pounds
worth of damage in the town.”
Wydon Burn Reservoir has a total capacity
of 24,000 cubic metres and was used in July
when the town experienced three major storms
in six days in July which is extremely rare.
A total of 20 fishing platforms and one
kilometre of footpaths are currently being
installed at the reservoir, and the wetland
planting will take place in spring when
the fishery has been filled. It will be
stocked with mixed coarse fish and is due
to be open next summer.
Workmen are also working on improving the
entrance to the culvert on Halgut Burn and
installing a flood drain in Tanner’s Yard
which will catch flood water flowing down
the road. The project has been a difficult
operation because underground utility services
had to be moved.
The Hexham scheme works by diverting flood
water from the Cockshaw Burn in a large
pipe which carries the water underground
down Burn Lane and into Tyne Green Park,
where it then flows back into the Cockshaw
Burn, before discharging into the River
Tyne.
Parts of the Cockshaw Burn channel bed
have been deepened, allowing it to carry
more flood water in to the new, larger culvert
at Tanner’s Row.
And existing flood defences have also been
raised along the Cockshaw Burn at Tanner’s
Row. Cockshaw Terrace and Ordley Terrace.
Wydon Burn Reservoir has also been modified
to store 14,000 cubic metres of flood water,
reducing flows which would otherwise spill
directly into the Halgut Burn.
+ More
Environment Agency expands flood warning
service across Sheffield
Alexandra Wales - 25-Sep-2007
Environment Agency staff used last week’s
flood drop-in sessions in Sheffield to tell
residents about improvements in the flood
warning service for their area.
More than 30 people attended four sessions
organised by the Environment Agency for
residents affected by the summer’s flooding
in Chapeltown, Millhouses, Attercliffe and
Hillsborough.
Staff explained the causes of the flood,
and showed how the Environment Agency’s
flood warning service will be expanded to
include more than 1,100 homes and businesses.
Since the beginning of this year, the team
has been mapping and modelling the Rivers
Don, Loxley, Sheaf and Porter Brook upstream
of Sheffield, to find out when and where
they will flood under different weather
conditions.
The information is being used to draw up
appropriate warnings for specific locations,
and these are expected to be in operation
next year.
Flood risk manager Peter Holmes said: “We
have been working on expanding our warning
service upstream of Sheffield since the
start of this year, and the information
which people brought with them to the drop-in
session has further increased our knowledge
of flooding in the area.
“We are planning to expand the flood warning
service to new communities such as Oughtibridge,
Hillsborough and the Wynn Gardens estate
next year, and we will be urging people
nearer the time to sign up for the service.”
When the new warnings are in place, staff
will write to all householders and businesses
eligible for the service to remind them
that they need to register to receive an
alert.
A total of 17 new flood warning areas have
been drawn up for communities at risk of
flooding upstream of Sheffield on the River
Don and River Loxley, which will benefit
895 residential and 213 commercial properties.
There are already flood warnings in place
for properties downstream of Sheffield.
The Environment Agency issues flood warnings
and watches to people in certain areas who
are at risk from river flooding, but they
must have signed up to receive the service.
It has gauges on many main rivers across
Yorkshire which helps officers to monitor
water levels and the likelihood of flooding.
Flood risk manager Peter Holmes said: “Exceptionally
heavy rain caused the flooding in June,
and we will see more of this extreme weather
as our climate changes. This is why it is
vital for people to take steps now to protect
themselves.
“Rivers can rise rapidly and an early warning
can provide people with vital time to move
property upstairs or evacuate. We are urging
everyone to find out whether they are eligible
for our flood warning service, and to sign
up now.”
Staff have also met with members of the
local Chamber of Commerce and will be working
with them to raise awareness of the risk
of flooding, and to provide advice to businesses
in the city.
Around £330,000 will also be spent
clearing debris and repairing the damage
caused by this summer’s flooding along rivers
and waterways in the city.
Two work gangs from the Environment Agency’s
Operations Delivery team have already spent
six weeks clearing tonnes of rubbish and
timber deposited by the summer’s flood waters
at Niagara Weir, Hillsborough.
The operation cost £35,000 and required
massive earth moving equipment in the River
Don to take away tree trunks and root balls
the size of large cars.
Staff have received more than 50 reports
from members of the public about debris
in waterways across Sheffield which have
been investigated, prioritised and action
taken.
The team spends around £150,000 in
Sheffield annually on maintaining the city’s
waterways, but this year more money will
be found from the budget to fund the extra
cost.
To find out whether you are eligible for
a flood warning contact our Floodline number
on 0845 988 1188.
