| 22/12/2005
- Officers at the Environment Agency are already looking
ahead to the new year with a spring clean along a North
Yorkshire river. The operations
team has been clearing willows and obstructions along
the River Seven near Barugh, near Great Barugh, upstream
of Malton.
The task is part of the Environment
Agency’s maintenance work to help reduce the risk of flooding
in the area.
Field team leader Pete Freer said:
“We clear away debris such as fallen trees from the rivers
if they pose a potential flood risk.
“Our work ensures that rivers such
as the Seven can flow more freely by removing blockages
which could cause water to back up and potentially flood
people’s property.”
The team is getting back to basics
by using mechanical cutters to remove the obstructions
rather than chainsaws. This different approach has a number
of benefits - there is no vibration for the operator,
and no noise pollution.
From May to September every year,
the team also uses a boat to cut back the amount of weeds
in the rivers.
The ‘Weed Boat’ has cutting equipment
that can free up the waterways and allows officers to
remove the flotsam and jetsam that collects in the foliage.
The Operations Delivery Team is responsible
for operating and maintaining flood defence property and
providing first line response during floods. They have
an annual programme of work and also monitor the condition
of other Environment Agency assets.
Last month, the Environment Agency
launched its annual flood campaign for the region.
In Yorkshire and the North East, around
262,000 properties are considered at risk from flooding
– that represents around 14 per cent of the national total
considered to be at risk.
The campaign urged people to call
the Environment Agency’s Floodline 0845 988 1188, or visit
its website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodline,
for the latest advice on how to protect their homes and
businesses from flooding and what to do in the event of
a flood. |
