Notices
The Environment Agency says that the current system is unsustainable on a number of levels. The system is largely managed through artificial means that is contrary to the natural processes of the catchment area and is largely achieved through expending non-renewable energy through pumping. Whilst intensive drainage provides short term productivity benefits, the longer term impact on ground levels and associated drainage impairment will reduce the effectiveness of the drainage system and may reduce agricultural productivity overall. In the process, extensive peat shrinkage will result in carbon dioxide emissions. It is likely that future water demand will exceed supply and the current system is not effective at providing either flood storage, when needed, or a reliable supply of water in dry periods.
In their 2009 report, the Environment Agency themselves stated "The catchment area is heavily reliant on two pumping stations to drain it; failure of these could put over 6,000 properties at risk."
THE AFFECTED AREAS
For over 300 years, the area has provided some of the best agricultural land in the UK and this is now at risk.
The Environment Agency has said that the current system is unsustainable.As a result of climate change, the Environment Agency estimated that by 2100, without any reduction in pumping, approximately 405 further properties will be at risk of fluvial flooding alone.
What can be done? - Quite a lot actually.
1. Come to the special meeting at St Stephen’s Social Club, Hoole Lane, Banks at 7:00pm on Monday 28th of November.
2. Contact your MP Lorraine Fullbrook and let her know your concerns – Write to her at
The House of Commons,London. SW1A 0AA
or Tel: 02072-197217 or
email: info@lorrainefullbrook.com
3. Call the Environment Agency on 03708-506506 (Mon-Fri 8-6)
4. Read the Consultation Document which you can access on the internet at https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/portal and complete the response form or ask your Councillor for a copy.
YOUR BOROUGH AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS NEED YOUR SUPPORT NOW !
Cllr Paul Blane:- 3G Gravel Lane, Banks - Tel 01704-211341
email: cllr.blane@westlancs.gov.uk
Cllr Iain Ashcroft:- 1 Chandlers Croft, Hesketh Bank - Tel 01772-814202
email: cllr.ashcroft@westlancs.gov.uk
Cllr Malcolm Barron – Barron’s Farm, Doctors Lane, Sollom – Tel 01772-811302
email: malcolm.barron@lancashire.gov.uk
PLEASE ACT QUICKLY
THE CONSULTATION PERIOD ENDS ON THE 16th OF DECEMBER 2011
Published by the Borough and County Councillors for the West Lancashire Northern Parishes
Rufford & Holmeswood Parish Council
Click here to download Borough Council information in PDF format
Click here for the Lower Alt with Crossens Pumped Drainage Catchment Flood Risk Management Strategic Plan
If you would like to speak to someone at the Environment Agency about the Strategic Plan please call Graham Sheppard, Project Manager, on 01925 542196 or
email: AltcrossensPDCFRMSP@environment-agency.gov.uk
Northern Parishes Flood Risk Meeting
6000 Homes could be at risk!
St Stephens Social Club, Hoole Lane Banks
7pm Monday 28 November 2011
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Paul Blane Westlancs Borough Cllr
01704 211341
email cllr.blane@westlancs.gov.uk
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Ian Ashcroft Westlancs Borough Cllr
01772 814202
email cllr.ashcroft@westlancs.gov.uk
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Malcolm Barron County Councillor
01772 811302
email Malcolm.barron@lancashire.gov.uk
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** We are aware that local residents who have received a copy of the Environment Agency's Feedback form are unhappy about it. Various complaints are that it is confusing; badly-worded, difficult to understand, given out with very short notice to respond and even deliberately designed to put people off from responding, ensuring that the Agency can go ahead with their plans unchallenged.
If you are concerned in any way or just want help with the form, please attend the Parish Council meeting at Rufford Village Hall tonight (Monday 21st November) at 7pm.**
Parish Council Guidance Notes re Environment Agency Land Drainage Feedback Form
Our main argument: Land drainage was first undertaken to feed a growing urban population. We have some of the most economic and fertile farmland in the country. The farms in this area still supply a large urban population - Manchester for instance would probably not have been able to develop as it has, without this plentiful supply of food. The distance to the urban areas we supply is short; this must be good for the planet (emissions etc).
Environment Agency plans to flood farmland and reduce pumping: this will not reduce the water running into our area and would create more problems than it would solve. The government policy to defend urban areas before rural areas and not to fight the sea is in general sound given our extensive coastline, but we do not live in a salt marsh we live in a very fertile growing area that feeds a huge urban population.
The idea that stopping drainage and pumping would save the country money is ridiculous. It would be a disaster for our area and a huge financial loss to the country. It is believed that a local farmer called John Webster was awarded an OBE by the government of the day some time ago, for his work on drainage in our area.
There is a lot more technical stuff which is interesting (although not needed at this stage) but the question about peat misleads as all our moss land equates to about one percent (1%) of all the peat in the country and only a fraction of that may be eroded?
As to who pays; every one should - i.e. the big urban areas that consume the food and us who live in this area, though local farmers do believe that the Environment Agency could operate a lot more effectively than they do now.
We live in the 21st century and technology has become ever more awesome. However the Environment Agency tells us what it can't do and yet preceding generations seemed to have been able to accomplish a stable and very efficient growing environment without the technological advantages we have now.
John Gordon
Rufford & Holmeswood Parish Council
Environment Agency plans to flood farmland and reduce pumping: this will not reduce the water running into our area and would create more problems than it would solve. The government policy to defend urban areas before rural areas and not to fight the sea is in general sound given our extensive coastline, but we do not live in a salt marsh we live in a very fertile growing area that feeds a huge urban population.
The idea that stopping drainage and pumping would save the country money is ridiculous. It would be a disaster for our area and a huge financial loss to the country. It is believed that a local farmer called John Webster was awarded an OBE by the government of the day some time ago, for his work on drainage in our area.
There is a lot more technical stuff which is interesting (although not needed at this stage) but the question about peat misleads as all our moss land equates to about one percent (1%) of all the peat in the country and only a fraction of that may be eroded?
As to who pays; every one should - i.e. the big urban areas that consume the food and us who live in this area, though local farmers do believe that the Environment Agency could operate a lot more effectively than they do now.
We live in the 21st century and technology has become ever more awesome. However the Environment Agency tells us what it can't do and yet preceding generations seemed to have been able to accomplish a stable and very efficient growing environment without the technological advantages we have now.
John Gordon
Rufford & Holmeswood Parish Council
Click here to download Borough Council information in PDF format
Click here for the Lower Alt with Crossens Pumped Drainage Catchment Flood Risk Management Strategic Plan
If you would like to speak to someone at the Environment Agency about the Strategic Plan please call Graham Sheppard, Project Manager, on 01925 542196 or
email: AltcrossensPDCFRMSP@environment-agency.gov.uk
Northern Parishes Flood Risk Meeting
6000 Homes could be at risk!
St Stephens Social Club, Hoole Lane Banks
7pm Monday 28 November 2011
--------------------------------------------------
Paul Blane Westlancs Borough Cllr
01704 211341
email cllr.blane@westlancs.gov.uk
---------------------------------------------------
Ian Ashcroft Westlancs Borough Cllr
01772 814202
email cllr.ashcroft@westlancs.gov.uk
---------------------------------------------------
Malcolm Barron County Councillor
01772 811302
email Malcolm.barron@lancashire.gov.uk
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Support your MP in her opposition to the Environment Agency strategy by writing and or emailing her,
to give her the ammunition to put before parliament.
Write to Lorraine Fullbrook MP, House of Commons, London Sw1A OAA or email: lorraine.fullbrook.mp@parliament.uk
