Emily
Poyser - 20-Nov-2008 - The Environment Agency
has finished clearing silt from a 420-metre
long culvert where the River Chelt flows
underground through Cheltenham town centre.
This project formed part of a series of
works designed to improve the standard of
flood protection provided by the Chelt Flood
Risk Management Scheme following the 2007
flood events.
We removed 180 tonnes
of gravel and other large pieces of debris
from inside the culvert after underground
CCTV inspection revealed partial blockages
and restrictions to the flow of the Chelt
through the culvert which could increase
flood risk.
We used specialist contractors,
pumping equipment and sewer and mining specialists
to remove the silt and gravel to ensure
that the culvert will continue to be able
to carry the amount of water that needs
to flow through it during a flood.
We are now reinstating
the road and pavement areas on the Promenade
next to Neptune's fountains ready for the
Christmas shopping season.
The £300,000 project
was funded by the Environment Agency in
partnership with Cheltenham Borough Council,
who contributed £50,000 as part of
their responsibilities as owners of riverside
land, and Gloucestershire County Council
who also contributed £50,000 as they
were keen to see the project progress.
We are continuing to
carry out improvements in Sandford Park
where we are raising the flood wall at Keynshambury
Road and enlarging the plughole (photos
of the temporary bridge crossing and robotic
breaker attached). The majority of this
work will be completed before Christmas.
Anthony Crowther of
the Environment Agency says “The work we
have done to clear the culvert will significantly
reduce flood risk to the people of Cheltenham.
This was a very long culvert and we have
had to use specialist contractors to remove
the debris.
"Over time, the river deposits silt
naturally. This and debris brought down
from previous floods can block the channel.
Keeping the river flowing freely through
the culvert is a vital part of our routine
maintenance work to reduce flood risk for
the people of Cheltenham.”
+ More
Businesses can save
money and help the environment
Richard Woollard - 18-Nov-2008
- The Environment Agency is one of several
organisations offering free advice and information
to Cambridge businesses over breakfast at
the Holiday Inn in Histon on Friday 28 November.
Environment Agency staff
will be on hand to answer questions on a
variety of different topics, from how to
deal with storing oil securely, to what
to do with old electrical equipment, while
saving money.
Geoff Brighty, Area
manager for the Environment Agency, said:
“We appreciate that running a business can
mean great pressure and there are many directions
in which you can be pulled.
“We hope that anyone
who wants information about keeping within
the law on environmental issues or tips
on how to save money by reducing your waste
will come along and chat to a member of
our team.”
The Environment Agency
is just one organisation attending the ‘Better
Regulation, Better Business’ breakfast.
The free event will give people a chance
to find out about the latest in business
legislation, listen to a selection of speakers
and ask questions about regulatory issues.
The event is being organised
by the Cambridgeshire Local Business Partnership.
All you have to do to book your place is
to phone Business Link on 0845 6010000.
