1 minute read
British Canoeing Page
40
British Canoeing
Water Quality in Rivers: House of Commons, Environmental Audit Committee Report
Published on 13th January 2022 the committee highlighted serious issues with the health of rivers in England: Rivers in England are in a mess. A “chemical cocktail of sewage”, agricultural waste and plastic is polluting the waters of many of the country’s rivers. Not a single river has a clean bill of health. Cleaning up our rivers is important for public health and vital to protect wildlife.” British Canoeing has contributed to these findings and gave oral evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee in May 2021. The report lists a wide range of actions to clean up rivers. River Bourne, Chertsey MeadsThe conditions recently seen on the River Bourne at Chertsey Meads with fallen trees trapping plastic and other litter in a slurry of foul water illustrates a not uncommon sighting.
Abbey River – Unauthorised dam and update
This River Thames side stream between Penton Hook and Chertsey Weir pool is a popular route with paddlers. In July 2018 an unauthorised dam constructed by a landowner obstructed the river that has a public right of navigation. Reported to EA Waterways it was removed by contractors in October 2019 with the proviso if it was rebuilt to advise the Agency. First Dam at Ferry Lane, Chertsey A second unauthorised more substantial dam was installed in June 2020. It has been reported to EA Waterways and Thames Navigation Users Forum several times since for removal. Without consent and in contravention of the River Thames Conservancy Act 1932, enforcement by the Agency is still awaited.
