09/06/2005 - The South
West has the overall best environmental
quality of all English regions according
to the latest report from the Environment
Agency.
But the report also reveals concerns over
flooding, soil run-off caused by poor land
management and the growing waste problem.
Other pressures on the environment include
a rapidly rising population, the impacts
of climate change and the push for greater
economic development.
‘A Better Place - State of the Environment
in the South West 2005’, draws together
all the latest information from dependable
environmental data sources for the region.
On the positive side the area enjoys the
highest local quality of life of any English
region. Air quality is generally good, with
low levels of gases such as sulphur dioxide
and nitrogen dioxide compared to the rest
of the country.
Water quality around the South West's coast
and estuaries is reported as being generally
good. River flows are also generally good,
although there are concerns over the environmental
impact of abstraction from rivers which
reduces flows. This has occurred on the
Rivers Wylye and Avon at Malmsbury (Wiltshire),
Piddle (Dorset), Tavy and Taw (Devon).
There is both good and bad news for wildlife
in the region. Many habitats are improving
and several species, including coarse fish
and otters, continue to colonise new areas.
But significant numbers of plants, reptiles,
amphibians, freshwater fish and invertebrates
remain under threat.
The most noticeable species in decline
is the water vole, and eels and salmon stocks
remain under threat with 16 out of 20 salmon
rivers failing to maintain stocks at an
abundant level. The setting of illegal surface
gillnets for seafish are also causing problems
for salmon and sea trout that are getting
caught up as bycatch, as well as seabirds,
porpoises and dolphins.
The impacts of climate change such as rising
sea levels, heavier rain and increasingly
stormy weather will see the number of people
affected by flooding increase significantly.
Eight out of the warmest years in the South
West have occurred since 11000. Future seasons
in the region will be warmer and drier in
the summer whilst winters will be milder
and wetter.
There are still high numbers of pollution
incidents being reported, with minor events
being the second highest in the country.
The number of major incidents has also seen
a slight increase in the last two years.
Soils in the region are vulnerable due
to pressures from high rainfall, steep slopes
and economic pressure on farmers to raise
production. This results in increasing problems
with soil condition and water run-off from
agricultural land. The Environment Agency
is working with farmers, DEFRA and others
to improve soil management, and reduce run-off
and pollution from agriculture.
The South West's waste continues to be
growing problem. Household waste has increased
by almost 5% between 2001-2002 and 2003-2004.
Worryingly household waste is growing at
an average of over 3.4%, much faster than
population growth at just 0.5%. The Environment
Agency is encouraging the development of
new ways of disposing of waste as alternatives
to landfill. Work is also being undertaken
to protect the environment from hazardous
waste and illegal waste activities such
as fly-tipping.
"This report reveals that there is
much to be proud of in the South West. We
enjoy a very high-quality environment but
there are some fundamental challenges for
the future," said Richard Cresswell,
South West Regional Director for the Environment
Agency.
The Environment Agency's latest assessment
of the state of the environment in England
and Wales can be found on the Agency's web
site at www.environment-agency.gov.uk where
it is supplemented by detailed web pages
setting out key data and trends.
Alternatively, a copy of State of the Environment
in the South West 2005 can be obtained free
by calling the Environment Agency on 08708
506 506, or order through the online publications
catalogue on the web site.
