The
Environment Agency has raised an abandoned
boat from the River Thames after its owners
illegally moored the vessel and failed to
take responsibility for it.
The 32-foot cabin cruiser,
nicknamed a ‘pirate boat’ by locals, became
an eye-sore for concerned residents when
it beached at Desborough Island on the reach
above Sunbury Lock in Surrey in January.
Staff from the Waterways
team kept a close eye on ‘CANOO C US’ to
ensure that it had no negative impact on
the environment.
Andrew Graham, Waterway
Operations Manager said: “There is a strict
process for dealing with sunken, stranded
or abandoned boat. It starts with locating
the registered owner of the boat, as they
are responsible for removing it in the first
instance. This avoids us spending taxpayers
money unless absolutely necessary. If the
owner either does not remove the boat within
an agreed reasonable period, or does not
contact us in reply to our notice to remove
it, we will take enforcement action.”
CANOO C US was removed
by the Environment Agency's authorised agent
Linden Lewis Marine' salvage tug and towed
to a nearby marina, where it was lifted
out of the water to be stored. If the owner
cannot pay the costs, the boat will be sold
to recover costs incurred and safeguard
taxpayers expense.
“It is disappointing
to see how some people drop all responsibility
for their property and cause unnecessary
disruption for others who use the waterway.
The fact that irresponsible owners will
still have to pay the costs of the operation
or lose their boat sends out a strong message
that disrespecting the laws of the River
Thames will not be tolerated,” Andrew added.
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Environment Agency surveys
Dove flood defences
Environment Agency engineers
are carrying out a structural survey of
flood defences along the River Dove between
Uttoxeter and Burton on Trent.
Environment Agency engineers
are carrying out a structural survey of
flood defences along the River Dove between
Uttoxeter and Burton on Trent.
Work on the survey is
already under way and will take about another
week to complete. Ground investigation teams
can be seen taking samples from flood banks
and walls in the Hatton and Tutbury area
to establish their condition.
We are undertaking this
survey to support the proposed Dove Strategy
that will investigate how we manage flood
risk in this area over the next 100 years.
The current structural survey will tell
us whether the existing defences are strong
enough to be improved or adapted (if required)
or whether they have reached the end of
their useful life and need replacing.
Project Manager, Mark
Swain says “Before we can decide how best
to protect people living and working along
the River Dove from flooding in the future,
we need to know the condition of the flood
defences that are already in place. This
survey will give us that information and
help us to make sound decisions. When all
our investigations have been completed we
will consult local people about what we
consider to be the most feasible options
to provide them with the best possible flood
protection.”
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The Wey forward for
a flourishing water environment
The Wey Valley’s rich
variety of wildlife with thriving communities
of animals, birds, insects and plants will
now be secured thanks to an action plan,
supported by the Environment Agency, for
the area’s water environment.
Angling clubs, councils,
conservation bodies and landowners fed their
knowledge into the plan, which covers the
valley’s 300km of watercourses and more
than 100 still waters.
The ‘Wey Valley Fisheries
Action Plan’ (FAP) is a scheme to support
better fisheries and a better environment
for all. While the Wey Valley is a prosperous
and pleasant place, this prosperity has
created great pressures on its fisheries.
Centuries of human influence has left a
highly modified water environment in some
places under increasing stress.
One key action for the
valley will improve degraded sections of
the river, restoring them back to their
natural glory. In places, past river engineering
works such as old weir structures have severely
degraded natural habitats by deepening water
and causing silt build-up.. The plan aims
to identify these patches of river and remove
or lower the old structures to improve habitats.
The plan identifies
key species and habitat for protection and
areas for improvement. A table of issues
has been agreed with partner organisations,
with actions to reduce pressures and ensure
a better quality environment for wildlife
and people.
Adrian Bicknell, Fisheries
Officer for the Environment Agency, said:
“Having high-quality fisheries brings far-reaching
social and economic benefits for both the
environment and people. Angling has direct
economic benefits, but it also provides
an opportunity to encourage all sectors
of society to participate, and develop a
better appreciation of the environment.
The active programme of protection and improvement
is vital for the Wey Valley and I am pleased
that we are at the stage to really make
a difference.”
Also included in the
document are a number of case studies showing
improvement work within the river catchment,
providing inspiration for future work.
David Savage from the
Wey Valley Fisheries Consultative (WVFC)
said: “The habitat improvement work on the
Bagmoor Stream is an excellent example of
a river improvement project supported by
the action plan. The Environment Agency
were originally contacted by the local Angling
Club who were keen to improve habitat for
wild brown trout on this tributary of the
River Wey.
“We went to the site
and carried out an electro-fishing survey,
revealed the presence of wild brown trout
along with many other species of coarse
fish which would benefit from improved spawning
habitat.
“Brown trout are Britain’s
only native species of trout, and it can
only thrive in clean, well-oxygenated rivers
and lakes. Destruction of its habitat has
driven the native from its former, widespread
strongholds. But, as with the work already
carried out on the Bagmoor Stream, this
action plan will play a major role in giving
this wonderful fish a chance to prosper.”
