The
Environment Agency will be joining forces
with Hampshire Constabulary to test our
new portable flood defence barriers adjacent
to the Royal Lymington Yacht Club in Bath
Road, Hampshire on Thursday 11 June at 10.30am.
The Environment Agency
will be joining forces with Hampshire Constabulary
to test our new portable flood defence barriers
adjacent to the Royal Lymington Yacht Club
in Bath Road, Hampshire on Thursday 11 June
at 10.30am.
Hampshire Constabulary,
the Mayor of Lymington Jan Hawker and Hilary
Aldridge, the Environment Agency’s National
Head of Incident Management, will see how
the portable defences can offer temporary
protection to reduce flood risk during an
incident until a permanent flood risk solution
can be put in place. These barriers form
part of the Environment Agency’s incident
response capability in the area and would
be deployed as part of a coordinated risk
based response with our other emergency
response partners.
James Humphrys, Environment Agency Area
Manager said: “It is an ideal opportunity
to test these new flood defences and show
how they would work during an actual flood
incident. These portable defences are new
technology that provide a quick and easy
means to protect specific stretches against
floodwater. They are reusable and offer
many advantages over traditional sandbags.
“As part of our ongoing
Flood Awareness Campaign, we are encouraging
everyone in the Lymington area who is at
risk of flooding to sign up to Floodline
Warnings Direct by calling our Floodline.
This system automatically alerts people
to rising rivers and possible coastal flooding,
giving people the vital hours they need
to protect their home and belongings.”
With climate change
likely to increase the risk of extreme weather
events and floods, the Environment Agency
has launched three simple flooding guides
that offer crucial advice on how to protect
your home and family - before, during and
after flooding.
The guides form an essential
part of the Environment Agency’s ongoing
Flood Awareness Campaign which urges every
household and business to check their flood
risk by calling Floodline on 0845 9881188
or using the online postcode checker at
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood.
James Humphrys added:
“People must be prepared for floods and
know what to do if the worst happens. We
strongly advise that every household in
a flood risk area has their own plan of
action that can be quickly used during a
flood emergency. All households should read
our three new flooding guides, as in most
cases preparation makes a big difference.”
The three guides are:
Preparing for a flood
– The guide contains practical advice on
what to do to protect your home and family,
including how to create a flood plan, prepare
a flood kit of essential items, and lists
of key contacts. It explains the different
flood warning codes, outlining what action
should be taken when a flood happens and
gives advice on what you can do to minimise
flood water entering your property.
During a flood – Offering
advice on how to stay safe and what to do
in a flood, the publication indicates what
steps should be taken in an emergency, how
to protect your possessions, utilising your
flood kit and what to do in an evacuation.
After a flood – Providing
guidance on how to recover following a flood,
including what to do on returning to your
property, clearing up after a flood, dealing
with an insurance claim and finding temporary
housing. It also contains essential information
to ensure your home is protected from future
flooding.
For further information
about how to prepare for flooding and to
obtain copies of the Environment Agency’s
three flooding guides visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood
or call Floodline 0845 988 1188.
+ More
Environment Agency to
resubmit Shaldon and Ringmore tidal defence
planning application
Environment Agency to
resubmit a revised planning application
for tidal defence scheme
The Environment Agency
is to submit a revised planning application
for the proposed £8.5 million tidal
defence scheme for Shaldon and Ringmore
on the Teign Estuary in Devon.
The height of the defences
will be 275 millimetres lower across the
whole scheme after a detailed review of
improved extreme tide level data.
During its review the
Environment Agency also took account of
concerns about wall height raised by the
public and landowners on the original planning
application, which was withdrawn in April.
‘It was important for
us to consider the improved data and its
impact on the Shaldon and Ringmore scheme
despite this decision delaying progress,’
said Gordon Trapmore, Environment Agency
Devon and Cornwall flood risk manager.
‘As a result we have
found that we can lower the wall height
and still provide effective tidal defences
for the village. Other than being lower,
the scheme is largely unchanged from the
previous proposal and we hope it will be
more acceptable to the local community.
‘We would like to thank
everyone for their patience during the last
two months, while our engineers have been
working hard behind the scenes on the data
and scheme revisions.’
The Environment Agency
will submit its revised planning application
to Teignbridge District Council early next
month. The public will be able to view the
proposal and make comments through the planning
process.
‘If our planning application
is successful we intend to start construction
early in the New Year, although before then
there will be some preparatory work in the
village’, explained Mr Trapmore.
The Environment Agency
is also looking at the impact on its proposal
for the Teignmouth Back Beach tidal defences
and will share its findings with the public
next month.
+ More
Environment Agency trials
electronic waste tracking system
The Environment Agency
has begun a pilot project that allows business
and industry to electronically track the
collection, transfer and final destination
of their waste – to help clamp down on fly-tipping
As part of the Waste
Crime Innovation Programme (WCIP), the three-month
Electronic Duty of Care trial is being run
by six waste companies in South-East England,
using mobile computer technology and a web-based
tracking system to create and maintain electronic
Waste Transfer Notes (WTNs).
Environment Agency WCIP
Project Manager, Paul Keay, said moving
from paper to electronic WTNs should improve
the quality of data collected, ensure waste
producers can easily track their waste and
help waste carriers better fulfil their
Duty of Care obligations.
"Waste Transfer
Notes are vital in tracking waste from collection
right through to disposal," Mr Keay
said.
"Most waste carriers
still complete and store paper Waste Transfer
Notes, but the Electronic Duty of Care trial
will enable WTNs to be created and maintained
electronically using web-hosted software
and mobile computer handsets. This should
make the process simpler, faster, and more
accurate.
"With commercial,
industrial and construction waste data collected
electronically - including tonnage, type
of waste, place of origin and destination
- business and industry will be able to
ensure their waste is being recycled and
disposed of legally - reducing the risk
of fly tipping and providing increased protection
for the environment."
"In addition, it
should provide the Environment Agency with
data that helps identify new recycling opportunities."
Two large, two medium
and two small waste companies are involved
in the Electronic Duty of Care trial, with
between 5-20 waste vehicles at each company
aiming to electronically capture up to 100
WTNs per week. This will allow the Environment
Agency to evaluate how the mobile computer
technology could be used by waste carriers
of all sizes.
The Electronic Duty
of Care project should also help to deliver
business benefits to waste companies, including:
removing the need to store paper WTNs, speeding
up invoicing and capturing electronic signatures
to provide proof of collection and delivery
to waste.
The Environment Agency
will run a second trail phase with a wider
take-up of companies, should the initial
trial be successful. Industry and other
regulators have been invited to join an
advisory board to ensure the benefits of
the pilot are maximised.
The Electronic Duty
of Care pilot project is funded by Defra
and managed by the Environment Agency, with
Codegate Ltd being awarded the contract
through a competitive tender processed.
Codegate Ltd will supply its "mobileworker"
workforce automation software and the hardware
to be carried by waste vehicle drivers.
Environment Agency water
sampling
An innovative technique is being used by
the Environment Agency to carry out water
sampling at various locations in the Great
Ouse estuary and the eastern Wash as far
as Heacham next Monday and Tuesday (8/9Jun).
Mariners urged to take
care
An innovative technique
is being used by the Environment Agency
to carry out water sampling at various locations
in the Great Ouse estuary and the eastern
Wash as far as Heacham next Monday and Tuesday
(8/9Jun).
The tracer water sampling
obtains vital information which will be
used to ensure the water quality of our
bathing waters and beaches.
A small boat will be
carrying out the sampling between 8am-6pm
each day. Mariners are requested to keep
a lookout for the craft and pass at reduced
speed whilst it is carrying out sampling.
The sampling will be carried out at various
unmarked locations and close to some of
the channel marker buoys.
The Environment Agency
is undertaking this work as part of its
responsibility to monitor the standard of
water quality for both designated bathing
waters and shellfisheries around the UK.
As part of this remit, the Agency’s Northwest
Norfolk environment management team is responsible
for leading efforts to improve the quality
of water at bathing waters located at Heacham
and Hunstanton, as well as the shellfisheries
within a similar area.
This is the first in
a series of planned tracer sampling days
which will be carried out over the coming
months.
Ian Mears from the team
said: ‘We are keen to ensure the quality
of water is at its best. By conducting this
research with the tracer sampling we will
be able to gather information on water movement
and dispersion which we can then assess
and use to protect bathing water quality.
‘It is a simple process and should not cause
any disruption to the people using the waters
on Monday or Tuesday.
MP to learn how Southlands
school pond restoration will provide major
benefits in environmental education
The MP for New Forest
East will see how the Environment Agency
has funded the transformation of a once
neglected and inaccessible school pond to
turn it into an environmental learning centre
for Hampshire schoolchildren.
The MP for New Forest
East will see how the Environment Agency
has funded the transformation of a once
neglected and inaccessible school pond to
turn it into an environmental learning centre
for Hampshire schoolchildren.
On Friday 12 June at
10.15am, Dr Julian Lewis MP and Barry Rickman,
Leader of New Forest District Council, will
meet the children at the official open day
of their new outdoor classroom at Southlands
School in Vicar’s Hill, Boldre, Lymington.
The Environment Agency’s Solent & South
Downs Area Manager James Humphrys will show
them how the pupils are making the most
of the educational initiative and getting
hooked on angling whilst learning more about
wildlife and the natural environment.
Southlands School is
a leading residential and day school for
boys from seven to 16 years of age who are
diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. In November
2008, the transformation of the pond in
the school grounds began with the Environment
Agency enlisting students from Sparsholt
College to clean up the pond, clear the
vastly overgrown surrounding area and to
provide space for new fishing and pond dipping
platforms.
A path was then laid
around the pond to provide safe access for
the children and wheelchair users, and areas
for wildlife to thrive were also created
as part of the £5,000 project. To
encourage pupils to get involved in angling,
Dreamstore provided a grant for fishing
equipment for the children and Southern
Water also provided on site facilities to
store all the rods, nets and fishing tackle.
At the official open
day fishing coaches from the National Federation
of Anglers and the Environment Agency’s
Area Fisheries Team will be on hand to show
the children how to catch the one that doesn’t
get away.
James Humphrys said:
“Children love being outside and the outdoor
environment offers a wide range of valuable
learning experiences which simply cannot
be had in an indoor classroom.
“I am delighted that
we were able to make this project a reality
in providing such a deserving school with
a fantastic educational resource as well
as restoring the pond to make it a haven
for local wildlife.
“I firmly believe that
access to the environment and the many recreational
opportunities that it offers should be available
to all, so I am very pleased that the learning
area will also be available to other schoolchildren
in the area.”
Notes to Editors
Media are asked to confirm their attendance
to the Southlands School Environmental Learning
Area open day in advance of the event by
contacting the Environment Agency’s Southern
Region Press Office on 01903 832235.
+ More
Environment Agency Floodwise
Campaign visits Whitwick tomorrow
Environment Agency Flood
Risk Management staff will be door knocking
in Whitwick tomorrow, Thursday 4 June 2009,
urging as many residents as possible to
sign up to the FREE flood warning service
that has been available in the area since
February 2009.
There are approximately
185 properties at risk of flooding in the
town but, so far, only 29 people have registered
for the Environment Agency’s flood warning
service, Floodline Warnings Direct.
This service aims to
give customers a two hour advance warning
of flooding in the area, so residents and
businesses can move their possessions and
reduce the damage to their properties before
floods happen.
Environment Agency staff will be encouraging
people to register for this free service
as well as providing one-to-one flood advice,
including practical help on preparing for
a flood, what to do if one happens and how
to stay safe.
Innes Thomson, Area
Flood Risk Manager for Midlands East Area
said: “We are working hard to reduce flood
risk for people in Whitwick by ensuring
that the Grace Dieu Brook flows freely through
the town. But there is lots more that people
can do to protect themselves and to minimise
the damage and distress that floods can
cause. We hope people will be willing to
talk to us and we encourage people to sign
up to our free flood warning service.”
For further information
about how to prepare for flooding and to
find out if your home is at risk please
visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk or call
Floodline on 0845 988 1188.
+ More
Environment Agency drafts
decision on Welbeck permit
Staff at the Environment
Agency have drafted their decision on an
application to change the Environmental
Permit for Welbeck landfill in Wakefield.
The Leeds-based team
intend to grant the application to change
the height that waste can be tipped at on
site before the waste settles.
Environment Agency regulatory
officer Robin Bispham said the variation
to the permit would not change the final
height and shape of the site which is laid
down in the council’s planning permission.
He said: “We have written
to everyone who has commented on the variation
application and they now have the opportunity
to comment on our draft decision. The deadline
for comments is June 26 and we will make
a final decision after this.
“We are confident that
the amendment will not increase the risk
of pollution and we will be imposing conditions
which means that we will periodically reassess
the situation.”
Operators Welbeck Waste
Management Ltd (WWML) will be required to
make on-going assessments of how the waste
is settling. If the results show that the
waste is settling differently than predicted,
then the operators will have to make adjustments
so that they comply with the local planning
authority’s final height requirement.
WWML had originally
only allowed for a ten per cent height reduction
once the waste had settled, however landfills
typically show settlement rates of between
20 to 30 per cent. The operators have now
modelled the likely future settlement rate
using up-to-date information from Welbeck,
and applied to vary its permit using the
new data.
Robin said: “Waste settlement
is a very complex process. It is affected
by different factors, in particular the
nature of the waste being tipped, and we
have taken this into account by being flexible.
"We expect that
the type of waste going into landfills will
change in the future as waste management
practices change. This means that the settlement
of waste may change. By reassessing the
settlement rates as the waste is tipped,
we will be able to detect and react to any
changes.”
Anyone interested in
receiving more information should write
to PPC Waste Compliance Team,
Environment Agency, Phoenix House, Global
Avenue, Leeds, LS11 8PG.
