The EA says they are trying to ‘prevent’ actual damage happening to flood defences
Paul in part of Alders Brook in Ilford
(Image: James Linsell Clark / SWNS
)
The Environment Agency has issued a warning letter to the River Roding Trust following an investigation into unpermitted work carried out at Alders Brook in Ilford. This follows previous warnings about damage to a flood defence on Hertford Road in Barking.
It was reported earlier this month that Paul Powlesland, 40, and a group of volunteers – named the River Roding Trust – took matters into their own hands to clear a section of the River Roding in Barking. They hired a digger for £1,000 and filled over 200 bags of rubbish, including packaging, needles, domestic appliances and even weapons. But shortly after the clear-up, he received a letter from the Environment Agency (EA) saying he was under investigation for operating without a licence.
The EA’s investigation found that the work at Alders Brook in March this year damaged wildlife habitats and led to the spread of invasive species Japanese knotweed due to a failure to follow biosecurity protocols. In an incident last July, the trust also gained unauthorised access to private land and damaged the flood defence at Hertford Road that residents and businesses depend on for protection from flooding.
The Environment Agency concluded that warning letters were a proportionate response on this occasion, recognising the trust’s genuine commitment to improving the local environment.
An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “Ultimately, this isn’t just about permits. It’s about trying to prevent actual damage to the environment we are all seeking to improve. The Environment Agency and River Roding Trust share the same goal of protecting the River Roding. We have invited the trust to meet with us, and we look forward to discussing next steps with them, including helping the trust navigate the permit process.”
The Environment Agency welcomes and supports all groups that want to improve their local environment – and has excellent working relationships with hundreds of volunteers and groups across London’s many rivers. However, how work is carried out is essential to achieving the best outcomes for the environment.
Urban rivers such as the Roding face challenges to their water quality. The Environment Agency is working with partners to strategically address misconnections and investigate polluting outfalls across the Roding catchment. The Environment Agency and the River Roding Trust share the same goal for the River Roding.
As host of the Roding, Beam and Ingrebourne Catchment Partnership, the Environment Agency is working with partners, of which the River Roding Trust is one, on the misconnections issue and rectifying work has started on a priority area (the Cran Brook). The River Roding Trust has been part of a project collating data which will be used to prioritise further work and inform investment programmes, ensuring a coordinated, evidence-led approach across partners to improve water quality.