Bob Nightingale gave an excellent presentation this evening showing photos taken along the brook as part of a survey. This was hugely informative and very useful for us planning our next steps.Photos left of some of the previous incidents and the tractor coming to the 'rescue' to remove blockages.
We also had a packed agenda including looking at the draft of the leaflet we are proposing to produce with Severn Trent and guidelines we have written re drawing up plans for the whole brook. Plus hopes to do dye testing in the stream in the future, plans to distribute 130 fat traps, a discussion re 'cattle poaching' (basically a term used by farmers for cattle disturbing the soil), frustrations re British Waterways plans for The Lawns and more - including Severn Trent - I've just thrown together a summary of outstanding issues which I'll enclose below. Comments welcomed!
Our next meeting will be 7.30 on 24th October at which we hope to have a brief presentation re the legal position and move forward the plans. If anyone who hasn't joined us yet is interested please let me know on 755451.
Email to Severn Trent re Ruscombe Brook
Please can you confirm receipt of this email. I understand that Barry Bridgewater has moved jobs so we would welcome news of who has taken over? We would be happy to talk with them and look forward to working with them on solutions.
We also have a number of points below - some outstanding from the unanswered August email to you. I hope by putting all these concerns together on behalf of Ruscombe Brook Action Group members it will save you time rather than answering many different people. We will be happy to pass on information to our network of members and supporters.
1. You were planning to cut regrowth in sewer pipes in August. It would appear this has not taken place. Please advise on when this will happen? At our RBAG meeting this evening concern was expressed that we will see a return to the very serious incidents of sewage on farmland and in the brook if action is not taken.
2. I would also welcome a note as to whether the CCTV camera work went as far up stream as the lake on the Charley's farm. I have in the last 3 months twice smelt sewage strongly near a gate up at that end. Access is difficult due to undergrowth but if problem is found again, hopefully in the autumn it will be possible to check.
3. We also asked in our August email if it might be possible to have the full results of the CCTV? And details of which sections appear to be worst effected? Are these near the brook?
4. What are your plans for fixing the sewers? Will work entail relining or replacing or both - or have you other plans? Taking into account your funding constraints etc when could work begin on this?
5. If there is a delay before repairs can begin how often will the roots need to be cut? If so could we please have a schedule of planned maintenance with dates etc?
6. The landowner of some of the fields notes that requests for access to the fields for this work, will not in future be agreed by her, if they are made with no notice and only the day before as has been the case in the past. She has understandable concerns that such short notice is a problem especially if she is away - on the last occasion apparently both herself and the tenant were on holiday. Can you please ensure that a weeks notice is given for these works to take place on this land?
7. Regarding the overflows, can you provide evidence of how frequently they have been checked and cleared? Looking at the one at A.S. Cooke's yard it seems doubtful if anyone has been near them for years.
8. Could you please provide a site plan for both the outflows and confirmation of the point of outfall into the brook? This will be useful for land owners and monitoring.
9. RBAG consider pathogenic sewage discharge to such a small watercourse in close proximity to livestock & human populations is unacceptable. We are keen to find alternative solutions to this. Would you be able to organise dye testing to determine extent of escape to brook?
10. I will be in contact re your publicity department re the fat traps.
11. I understand there are still 9 outstanding misconnections? This must be very frustrating for you as I know you have tried to tackle this. However we would like those houses checked as one of our group members reports what was very clearly soap in the stream very recently. Please advise on your plans.
12. I have written to the Minister re SUDS but have still not had a reply. I will write again.
All the best - Philip
Philip Booth, Secretary of the Ruscombe Brook Action Group
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