Another sewage incident and brook meeting

Just back from a brook meeting and scribbled the minutes - here are the edited highlights....

Photo: Site of latest manhole discharge of sewage in Randwick

1. Slad Brook Action Group - see Citizen report here. It is not a great report as I counted over 60 people there - it doesn't mention Julian Jones' extended speech that was very inspiring and went down very well indeed - also doesn't mention that the event was organised by Cllr Lunnon, the local ward councillor or that I was the second speaker talking about the Ruscombe Brook Action Group experiences - or the passion and anger felt by some residents that more needed to be done by authorities - maybe SNJ will be better tomorrow?! Anyhow we discussed solutions that Julian had raised and SDC looked at in the past. SBAG have already sought advice re Memo of Cooperation, Constitution and more. One of our members offered to support them further re this if needed.

2. Other flooding issues - we had a useful general discussion re flooding in the 5 valleys - Bob Nightingale, the District Councils DRainage Officer was able to report news re District Councils activities to tackle problems. A special Cabinet meeting will look at flooding on 3rd Oct - I will attend. Issues we discussed included:
- concern that debris had not been removed yet from Slad/Painswick brooks - assessment urgently needed to know if some of the debris could be collapsed culverts? I will email SDC to support urgent action.
- concern re local road drains being blocked by leaves
- County are proposing flood wardens as one way forward
- Defra consultation is over - see my submission here
- County Council Scrutiny met today and are launching a consultation process on their website in next few days
- A46 updates here
- EA are clearly under-resourced in April 2006 they took over all minor rivers/brooks ie a 40% increase in river length with v little extra funds.

3. Randwick sewage incidents: two weeks ago a householder (Ryelands area of Randwick) had sewage leak in their home, last Friday sewage erupted from a manhole in field in Randwick (see previous blog entries). Severn Trent and rodding contractors were on scene and acted quickly but still large quantities of sewage got into brook. Yesterday afternoon another incident was reported in Randwick in a manhole further down in the field (incident number 2447303 - photos available soon). We are unclear of details at this point. I will write to Severn Trent raising concerns re condition of pipes (roots?) and that two 6 inch pipes join together near there and lead into just one 6 inch pipe. The incidents do not appear to be storm related. The landowner will also write as a bowser was promised for cattle and does not appear to have been provided despite cattle being in that field.

4. Root cutting last week: Severn Trent discovered further root growth in the sewer pipes and had a contractor cut them last week in stretch from Charley's lake down to Puckshole and maybe other sections. Philip spoke with contractors who confirmed that in places the CCTV camera in the sewers had reported root growth in 40% of the pipe circumference and along other sections 15% (see my previous blog entry on this).

5. Memo of Cooperation update - all signed including Severn Trent with the exception of Environment Agency who have changed staff and Stroud District Council who look set to sign at their Cabinet meeting on 3rd Oct. Highways are also still considering the document but are too busy at the moment. It was noted that to come this far with all parties on board was a huge achievement.

6. Ismaila's report - Ismaila has been doing his MSc on the brook and he will report proposals/findings at our next meeting (see previous blog entries for info on this). We had a discussion about how best to proceed re funding after that - need to prioritise especially Hamwell Leaze as good to work with Stroud Valleys Project - but also need to identify estimated costs in order to seek grants. Philip to check with Water 21. Other issues like smaller reed bed areas, tackling flooding at Puckshole, water separation etc will also all need discussion and prioritising.

7. Leaflet distribution - while noting the leaflet has some faults it is still a great way forward and a huge achievement - the first community leaflet ever produced by Severn Trent. Leaflets to go out over next month or so - most to be delivered by RBAG members but also support from Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish.

8. Next meeting: We hope to have MSc student Ismaila Emahi come to our October meeting to present draft proposals for brook - provisionally booked for 16th October. Anyone interested please let me know.