| The Truth is Out at Last. |
|
The River Freshney has been in a relatively disgusting state for the last few years, with the responsible agency not doing its job when it comes to removing the weeds and trimming the banks. The North East Lincolnshire Council and the Environment Agency have passed the buck between each with the responsible group not admitting the truth. I was in duscussion with a representative of the Environment Agency last year, when the river was in a bad state, who told me that Chris Scott had told them not to trim the banks, indicating that they had the responsible. My response to that was that this was untrue, and that the comment made, would to cut one bank and not the other, thus leaving growth for the various insects etc. I added that, in my mind, they were distorting the truth in order to get out of doing the job. Today (8th. August 2011) I have received a copy of a letter sent out from the Environment Agency on April 14th. 2010 to a resident of the West Marsh. A copy of this letter now follows but this does not have the Agency Logo:-
Our ref: *********************** Your ref: ****************** Date: 14 April 2010 Dear **********, ********************************************************************** Thank you for your letter of 8 April 2010. I appreciate ***************’s concerns about the River Freshney. My Inland Engineer, Ian Russell, has tried to contact *** but, unfortunately, has been unable to obtain a telephone number for ***. The Environment Agency is responsible for maintenance of the River Freshney from Laceby down to Alexandra Road (1) in Grimsby. This includes grass cutting on bank tops, clearing weed from the river and removing obstructions (2). However, we are not responsible for removing litter Downstream of Alexandra Road. North East Lincolnshire is responsible for removing obstructions. We undertake weed clearance two or three times during the year (3) depending on need. We carry out monthly inspections to remove any obstructions that could increase flood risk. In addition, we are investigating the feasibility of a scheme to reduce flood risk in the town. This may include dredging the lower reaches of the river. I note **************’s mention of shopping trolleys. I have arranged for one of my Environment Officers to look into this matter and raise the issue with local supermarkets. I am keen that any trolleys in the river are removed and steps are taken to prevent them entering the river in future. Contd . Waterside House, Waterside North, Lincoln, LN2 5HA. Weekday Daytime calls cost 8p plus up to Customer services line: 08708 506 506 6p per min. from BT Weekend Unlimited. Email: enquiries @environment-agency.gov.uk Mobile and other providers' charges may vary.
(1). They were renouncing responsibility at the time this letter was sent and at this time the river was in a state. It is a pity that the persons this letter was sent to did not take any action. One of the two held a very high office and was supposed to be representing Grimsby. Mr. Mitchell please respond. (2). They have said on many occasions to others that the banks are not their responsibility. The river is, the walls either side are, so how can they say that the bits in between the two are not? (3). They clear the weeds three times a year??? I wonder what year it was that they dreamt of doing so, because I have not seen any sign of them doing it. John Radley. www.friendsofthefreshney.org.uk
|