This news comes off the back of considerable work by ADA to get agreement which the NFU have been involved with locally.
The five catchments where de-maining will be invested are as follows:
- Norfolk and Suffolk Rivers, East Anglia (Norfolk Rivers IDB, East Suffolk IDB, Broads IDB)
- Isle of Axholme, East Midlands (Isle of Axholme and North Nottinghamshire Water Level Management Board)
- South Forty Foot Drain Catchment, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire area (Black Sluice IDB)
- Wormbrook and Allensmore Brook, Herefordshire, West Midlands (River Lugg IDB)
- River Stour Catchment, Kent & South London area (River Stour (Kent) IDB)
The NFU supports the announcement that de-maining pilots have been given the green light. It is important that the transfer of powers from the Environment Agency to another authority only occurs where there is strong local support. Clarity on works to be undertaken through demaining is also essential.
It is important that momentum and focus also remains in other parts of the country where seperate river management solutions, including the potential establishment of new IDBs, need to be found.
If you are in one of the catchments and would like more information, speak to your regional environment adviser, or Martin Rogers: bWFydGluLnJvZ2Vyc0BuZnUub3JnLnVr.