Environment Agency Wales
staff have begun creating greater flood
storage on the
Gwent Levels to protect nearby homes.
Ditches are being cleared
of excess silt and weed all along the historic
wetlands at the Levels, which will help
protect homes at Peterstone, Goldcliff and
Magor. The work will be completed by early
December.
Craig Burdon of Environment
Agency Wales said: “The historic ditches
or reens of the Gwent Levels are an essential
part of the natural drainage in the area.
They provide vital flood protection for
this large area of low lying land which
includes farmland and a number of settlements
and communities.
“In this instance ditch
maintenance is a low-impact way to help
protect the local community from the winter
weather.”
Environment Agency Wales'
priority is to protect people from the effects
of flooding from rivers and the sea. While
the risk of flooding can be reduced, the
Agency cannot eliminate all future flooding
so it’s important for communities to be
prepared.
Flood Awareness Wales
can help you find out if your home or business
is at risk and provide advice on what you
can do to prepare for this, reduce the impact
of flood water on your property and ensure
your own personal safety in a flood .
And you can call Floodline
0845 988 1188 to find out if you are able
to sign up to receive free advance warning
of flooding from rivers and the sea. Floodline
Warnings Direct provides advance warning
of flooding direct by telephone, mobile,
email, SMS text message or fax.
+ More
Environment Agency helps
communities through the snow
20th December 2010:
In a change from their usual work, Environment
Agency staff across the country have been
helping community services through the snow.
The Environment Agency’s
operations teams are transporting stranded
doctors, nurses, midwives and patients in
4x4 vehicles. These vehicles are usually
used by teams responsible for river maintenance
and flood prevention.
Despite many of the
Environment Agency’s own offices being closed
in the South West, teams have been able
to provide the Westcountry Ambulance Service
with three Land Rovers. Environment officers
have also driven medical staff to and from
Bridgewater Hospital, West Mendip Hospital
and Frome Minor Injuries Unit. 4x4 vehicles
are also being used to transfer patients
from Derriford to Truro and Liskeard hospitals.
Environment Agency vehicles
are also being used to support NHS services
across snow-covered parts of Southern England
and the Midlands. This includes work with
Cheltenham Hospital, Margate's Queen Elizabeth
The Queen Mother Hospital and Surrey and
West Sussex County Councils. Teams in Kent
are also supporting Kent County Council’s
meals on wheels service.
