River transfer project to give local communities more say

A project designed to give local organisations and communities more responsibility over the management of local watercourses has entered a new phase with public drop-ins launched in four pilot areas throughout October 2017.

The project is exploring re-designating several sections of selected ‘Main Rivers’ as ‘Ordinary Watercourses’ where, in agreement with the Environment Agency, partners such as Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) or Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) are keen to take on the lead role of local watercourses.

The project is piloting these changes in five locations. Four of these are now approaching the consultation stage of the process.

The project aims to bring significant benefits to local communities and could help pave the way for further de-maining opportunities throughout England.

For the Environment Agency, the project will also ensure resources are prioritised where the greatest impact on reducing flood risk can be achieved.

Rachael Hill, Flood and Costal Risk Manager for the Environment Agency, said: “We are working with local organisations to strengthen local decision-making. Internal Drainage Boards and Lead Local Flood Authorities are very much on the ground in communities so giving them responsibility over their own watercourses is a win-win situation that will ensure that the right people are managing the right watercourses in the right places.

“We welcome the launch of the community drop-in sessions and we look forward to working together on this project to benefit people and the environment.”

Innes Thomson, chief executive of the Association of Drainage Authorities (ADA), said: “This is an unmissable opportunity for local communities to have their say on how they would like to see their local watercourses managed in the best way to make use of the funds available, whilst improving the quality of those watercourses, the environment and community wellbeing associated with healthy, maintained rivers and streams.

“The drop-in sessions are an ideal way to find out more about the plans, help allay possible concerns and, very importantly, to provide support for these trials so please do try and find time to come to one of them.”