Speeding
boats can destroy riverbanks, wildlife habitats
and can be incredibly dangerous for other
river users. But now the Environment Agency
has cracked down on speeders on the River
Thames by checking the speed of passing
crafts.
Environment Agency officers
used a laser -operated speed gun which takes
the speed of vessels navigating along the
river. Speed checks were undertaken at two
locations on Cliveden Reach between Maidenhead
and Cookham.
Andrew Graham, Waterways
Operation Manager for the Environment Agency,
said:
“Cliveden Reach is one
of the classic scenic stretches of the River
Thames and it is renowned for its natural
beauty and rich wildlife. The wash from
speeding boats causes damage to the riverbank
and much distress to the river’s creatures,
especially nesting birds.
“Although no vessel
broke the speed limit on this occasion,
it was blatantly clear our presence had
an immediate deterrent effect which sends
out an important message that speeding is
not tolerated.”
For years there wasn't
a speed limit on the non-tidal River but
there was a general rule that a boat should
not exceed a brisk walking pace which is
roughly 4 to 5 miles per hour. However,
there is now a statutory speed limit of
8 kilometres per hour over the bed of the
river.
Several boats at Cliveden
Reach made excessive waves and although
they were not exceeding the limit they were
warned by Environment Agency officers of
the effects that this has on the environment
as well as the health and safety implications
for other river users and themselves.
“We aim to increase
our speed checks along the River Thames
and hope that more and more boaters take
action and navigate responsibly” Mr Graham
added.
+ More
Environment Agency talks
to Morpeth about flood options
Officers from the Environment
Agency say lessons have been learned from
last year’s floods but there is more work
that still needs to be done.
Area flood and coastal
risk manager Ian Hodge said much progress
had been made which was evident in the response
to the heavy downpours in July.
He said this was a tribute
to the strong multi-agency partnership and
work within the community, however he urged
people to take steps to protect themselves
from flooding by finding out whether they
were eligible for a flood warning.
Ian said: “Since last
year’s floods, we have been working with
the community and organisations to help
protect the town from the risk of flooding.
As a result, a huge amount of work has been
carried out, ranging from accelerated progress
on the flood scheme to providing an evacuation
track in High Stanners.
“Aside from our scheme
work, we have been talking continuously
to residents and landowners about our plans.
We have also developed a strong relationship
with the flood action group which has been
vital in discovering people’s views and
ideas for reducing the risk of flooding
in the area.
“Construction work on
the scheme will begin in 2011, however we
are urging people to protect themselves
by finding out whether they are eligible
for a flood warning. We can never protect
people fully against flooding and it is
important that people do all they can to
look after their families and property.”
A scheme for Morpeth
was already in progress when the town flooded
in September, and Environment Agency staff
are hoping to talk to residents about the
recommended option in the Autumn.
Since September 2008,
the work includes:
• trimming four months
off the planning stage of the scheme. It
is hoped that further time can be saved
during construction which is due to start
in 2011.
• In August, surveyors
started recording ground levels to supplement
the information gathered since the floods,
about the existing flood defences and their
condition.
• In June, residents
from Mitford Road were invited to discuss
their specific views on what the scheme
could mean for their properties.
• In May, tonnes of
gravel were excavated and removed from Oldgate
Bridge in Morpeth. The gravel was found
after Environment Agency cleared away the
flood debris under the bridge.
• In April around 400
people attended a public drop-in session
to look at two options for the flood scheme.
The consultation also included a workshop
with other partner organisations, a display
in Morpeth library and a drop-in upstream
of the town for residents and landowners.
• Work was completed
on an evacuation track for residents at
High Stanners. The scheme was funded by
the Environment Agency’s Northumbria Regional
Flood Defence Committee as a fast response
to concerns about emergency access highlighted
by last September’s floods.
• In February, hundreds
of Morpeth residents were visited from staff
to encourage them to take advantage of the
free flood warning service, Floodline Warnings
Direct. Of the properties eligible to receive
the free flood warnings, more than 600 properties
had not yet signed up. The figure now stands
at just over 500 properties. Properties
were left with sign up packs which are still
being returned and interested property owners
can register on Floodline 0845 988 1188.
• A Flood Warden Group
has met and is being established in Morpeth
to improve communication and community resilience.
• In February, a flood
defence wall and culvert in Morpeth was
repaired. The damage was done during the
floods and included the recladding of a
stretch of wall in Carlisle View, replacement
of water proof seals on flood walls throughout
the town, and the rebuilding of a privately-owned
wall in Newmarket car park.
• In October, a community
meeting was held to discuss the issues raised
by the September flooding.
• After the flood, staff
reviewed the way they responded to flood
incidents. One outcome was to make changes
to the systems so that it is easier for
officers to issue flood watches and warnings.
In September 2008, the
town suffered its worst flooding ever recorded
when more than 150 millimetres of rain –
the town’s average monthly rainfall - fell
in less than 48 hours. Around 1,000 homes
and businesses were flooded, with roads
and four electricity substations also affected.
