A cleaner and greener borough with the Environment Agency

Date published: 14 June 2020

Hello from everyone at the Environment Agency and welcome to our latest round-up exclusively for Rochdale Online! We hope you and your loved ones are managing to stay safe during these difficult times.

For Team EA, work continues in line with government guidance, including social distancing. We hope you enjoy reading about some of our activities in Rochdale and across the country during the last two months.

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Working hard to protect the public and environment

We are aware communities, businesses and the environment rely on our services. At first glance, it may seem that our environment has taken a backseat during the coronavirus crisis as the attention of government has now, quite rightly, turned to saving lives from the global pandemic.

And yet, we are still here supporting our communities. The Environment Agency ethos has always been focused on protecting lives, livelihoods and the environment. Our commitment to this does not change while dealing with the effects of coronavirus. At our heart, we are a Category 1 Incident Responder under the Civil Contingencies Act. This means we operate 24/7 to respond to flooding and other environmental incidents. Right now, this also includes maintaining our existing flood defences and the critical work on schemes currently under construction, or in the planning phase, such as the £46m Rochdale and Littleborough Flood Alleviation Scheme.

Crucially, we are doing this in way that does not put anyone involved at risk and in clear coordination with government guidelines on social distancing. While we always need to prioritise our activity, we remain fully operational and ready to support both you and our local environment.

 

 

 

The sunshine after the rain

Like many of you, all of us at Team EA have been enjoying the glorious weather and the chance to appreciate our gardens, balconies or widow boxes, if we are lucky enough to have them.

It would be more than fair to say that the tail-end of 2019 and start of 2020 brought enough wet weather to Greater Manchester so seeing some sunshine is a welcome relief for all of us! But, we all know the old saying that too much of a good thing can be bad for you and low amounts of rainfall over a prolonged period can bring its own problems for the environment.

As very little rainfall has fallen over the last few weeks, local rivers are starting to experience more low flows than normal for this time of year.  And, although there have only been a few reports of dry weather related incidents, this could start to increase with warmer temperatures as we move into the summer months.

As ever, we have ensured we are incident ready and we are taking significant notice of our region’s rivers and other water supplies. We have to be prepared should the dry weather spell continue, and we are. You can also play your part by looking at the way you use water in your home and making sure you are being as efficient as possible. Just something to consider when next using the garden hose!

United Utilities has some top tips on saving water available on its website:

• www.unitedutilities.com/corporate/newsroom/blog/10-water-efficiency-tips-that-can-save-you-money/

As always, if people see any environmental impacts due to dry weather, such as fish in distress, please report it to our incident line on 0800 80 70 60 so we can investigate and take action to protect the environment.

 

 

Taking the next step in flood risk management for Rochdale

Those who have seen the recent article on Rochdale Online will know a planning application for Phase 1a of the £46 million flood defence scheme in Rochdale and Littleborough has been given the green light by Rochdale Borough Council’s Planning Department.

The approved plans incorporate the first phase of a three-step process that has been developed to create what will eventually become one of the largest and most complex inland flood risk management schemes in the north of England.

Proposed works for the Phase 1a planning application are set to include defences at various locations in Littleborough, the replacement of Riverstone Bridge and the widening of the river channel at the same location. They also include the removal of Charles Street Bridge and temporary access works into the Gale site to allow it to be turned into a flood storage reservoir, as part of Phase 1B. Works will also combine the permanent diversion of Greenvale Brook at Gale East and a culvert extension within the same site.

We look forward to keeping you updated as the scheme progress but in the meantime, if you do have any questions, you can drop us a line at FloodResilienceGMMC@environment-agency.gov.uk.  

 

 

Building links between public and private investment to help bring the green shoots of recovery to the moors

Moors for the Future Partnership, which has been working to restore the peatlands of the Peak District and South Pennine moor for the past 17 years, has been selected to receive funding in a pilot scheme to encourage sustainable private sector investment in our natural environment.

Having been sourced and evaluated by Triodos Bank UK, the project will receive grant funding from Defra, the EA and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation (EFF) to deliver long-term environmental benefits and sustainable financial returns.

The peatlands of the south and west Pennines are some of the most degraded in uplands in Europe. As well as being damaged in the past by the coal-fired industry in Manchester, they are facing future pressure from hot summers and wet winters due to climate change.

This investment is great news and we are delighted to once again be working side by side with Moors for the Future to deliver a legacy of peatland projects across the Pennines that will bring multiple benefits for future generations.

Peatlands are a fantastic resource and restoration projects such as this have multiple benefits to the environment. Fully functioning peatland stores carbon, provides a habitat for protected species, reduces soil loss, stores water and helps reduce flooding.

Last year, the EA partnership with Moors for the Future delivered peatland restoration totalling 122 hectares of habitat restored and 12 hectares created.

 

 

Ready to cast off

Some good news for local anglers came in recent weeks as restrictions on fishing in England were eased on Wednesday 13 May following updated government guidance on outdoor activities.

This decision recognises that fishing can be done safely while still adhering to social distancing guidelines. However, it is vital that when we do go fishing, we all do so responsibly and safely in order to continue playing our own part in protecting ourselves, others and key public services.

Responsible fishing provides a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature and feel the range of benefits doing so can bring. But remember, if you are going fishing then you must have a valid fishing licence, adhere to fishing bylaws, including the close season (which ends on the 15 June), and have permission of the fishery owner.

If your licence has expired, you can renew your licence at GOV.UK. More detailed information on how to fish safely at this time can be found on the Angling Trust website.

 

Don’t forget to say hello

Have you spotted Team EA out and about? If you do see us in the Rochdale community don’t forget to say hello give us a wave! We love interacting with you but please do follow government guidance on social distancing. In these unprecedented times, it is more vital than ever that we keep you and our teams safe.  

One thing we know from our experience of incidents is that to get through to the other side, we need partnership, compassion, determination and patience. In the meantime, rest assured that your local Environment Agency teams are still here for you, working hard for the mid and long term to protect the environment and support the communities we serve.

Stay in touch

You can stay up-to-date with the latest news and information from the Environment Agency on Twitter and Instagram at @EnvAgencyNW.