NOTICE OF RIVER MAINTENANCE WORKS IN BRIDPORT STARTING AUGUST 2014

NOTICE OF RIVER MAINTENANCE WORKS IN BRIDPORT STARTING AUGUST 2014

The Environment Agency has been monitoring the accumulation of silt at a number of locations within the Bridport Flood Alleviation Scheme (FAS) on a regular basis. The scheme is designed to provide a 1 in 100 Year level of protection to defended areas, but is reliant on channel capacity to achieve this.

Additional funding has been secured to carry out desilting works on selected lengths of the River Brit and the River Asker in Bridport. Contractors will start desilting of some lengths of river channel and side slopes starting in August and continuing to late October 2014. This essential maintenance work will restore the channel to its design capacity.

The Environment Agency's ecologists have carried out surveys and have confirmed the presence of protected species and non-native invasive plants. Except in two locations, works cannot start until at least mid September once the breeding season for water voles has finished. Excavated materials will be carried to the appropriate licensed tip owing to the almost certain presence of the seeds of invasive species such as Himalayan Balsam and Giant Hogweed.

It may be necessary to heavily prune or fully remove one or two mature trees where they have grown in or close to the river channel. Their presence will hinder access to operators and plant for the essential maintenance to waterways which if not cleared effectively would otherwise increase flooding risks to life and property. If mature trees have to be removed the Environment Agency will be prepared to plant suitable replacements elsewhere, and preferred sites for such re-planting can be identified and agreed in consultations with the community.

LOCATIONS OF MAINTENANCE WORKS 

River Brit - Gundry to West Bridge; North Mills; Haywards Bank.
River Asker - Southolme; Jessops Avenue (Fish Pass Weir to A35 bridge)

The Environment Agency would like to share our plans with local residents, businesses and other interested parties. We will do so at some community drop-in sessions, where our technical staff will be available to meet and share information.

The venue will be Bridport Town Council at Mountfield, Bridport, DT6 3JP at the following times:

Wednesday 13 August 5.00pm - 8.00pm
Thursday 14 August 2.00pm - 5.00pm

Our plans are also available at the offices of the Environment Agency at Rivers House, Sunrise Business Park, Blandford Forum, DT11 8ST, during normal office hours, or if you would like further information by telephone please contact the project manager, Nigel Bennetts, through the National Call Centre on telephone number 03708 506506 or e-mail at nigel.bennetts@environment-agency.gov.uk.