Brook update: MSc project, plan and Cabinet meeting

Last week we had a Ruscombe Brook Action Group meeting - minutes will be out soon but wanted to give a brief summary...

Photo: Aerial view of brook

MSc report and plan for brook

The highlight was hearing from Ismaila - the Masters student from Glos University who has been researching the brook - I can't go into details here as his project was huge but he gave us a brief verbal summary (written available soon) - it showed that between June and September this year water quality remained fairly good although deteriorated down the length of the brook - there were no sewage incidents during that time - looking at the silt along the brook - again this got worse as he got down the brook although the worst point was at Puckshole with lots of nasty faecal contamination.

His recommendations included more sampling and SUDs - Julian Jones from Water 21 will now be working on these plans and suggestions to present a first draft plan of action for the brook - he hopes to have that at our next meeting (see date below). It is brilliant to have such great support for the project.

At the end of the meeting we presented Ismaila with a framed photo of the brook and thanked him enormously for all his work.

Update on work along the brook

We have only had one serious incident in recent months where sewage got into the Randwick tributary (see previous blogs). Severn Trent have installed a flow meter in the sewer to see if they can identify problems at that point.

Severn Trent Water have also been cutting roots in sewer pipes that run near the brook, and other works - these do seem to have significantly improved matters. There is also now a plan to reline some sections of sewers where roots have re-grown- indeed they have been approaching householders to get permission to go on their land.

Leaflet being delivered

The Severn Trent funded leaflet about the brook is now being delivered - more of that later - but huge thanks to all who are helping with that.

Memo of Cooperation and Cabinet meeting

We now have nearly all relevant bodies signed up to a memorandum of cooperation to look at sustainable ways of reducing flooding at sites like Puckshole and improving water quality and biodiversity. Stroud District Council's Cabinet are due to consider it tomorrow (Monday) - see below - they are also looking at various other issues related to flooding like the Slad Brook Action Group - clearly with properties and businesses flooded they need to be a priority for funds - plus tackling Stratford Park where 600 tonnes of rubble and silt was brought down the brook there by the floods.

Another idea that gets support from me is funding the setting up of a voluntary watercourse wardens scheme - again more of that in future posts.

Cabinet recommends to Council that: (i) The £60,000 Flood Relief Grant be allocated up to the levels indicated:- (a) £9,000 (revenue) be used to remove rubble and associated debris from the Painswick Stream.
(b) £25,000 (capital) be used to fund an inspection of culverts and a hydraulic study of the Painswick Stream so as to identify a prioritised programme of necessary repairs and improvements which will be used to advise riparian owners of their responsibilities.
(c) £6,000 (revenue) be set aside to assist the Slad Brook Action Group (SBAG) to accomplish small scale clearance works.
(d) £15,000 (capital and revenue) be set aside to assist SBAG in working towards establishing an attenuation scheme on the Slad Brook to alleviate the risk of future flooding events.
(e) £5,000 (revenue) be used to promote the concept of watercourse wardens with Parish Councils and to provide necessary training and guidance.
(ii) The action plan in appendix B to report DS-137-10-2007 be approved.
(iii) Council agrees to be a signatory to the Ruscombe Brook Group Memorandum of Understanding as set out in appendix C to report DS-137-10-2007.

Next RBAG meeting

Do join us at our next meeting 7.30 Tues 4th Dec - contact me for venue and further information. Join us!