Time races by and I find I haven't covered the last Ruscombe Brook Action Group meeting - 12 of us for the meeting back on 13th May. Well here's some of what we covered:Photos: more reading on floods - the reports that include my submission to the Government's review on flooding.
Flooding reports - out recently - they include my submission re flooding - I have only just had the chance to digest some of this report - it does take on board a number of the recommendations made but needs to go further - and also we still need to get the Government to sign up to implementation - read what I originally wrote here:www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/content/view/1897/72/
New MSc study by Ilaria Pretto from Trento University - she gave a short presentation at the meeting about how she will work with us and other agencies like Water 21, until the end of August 2008. She plans to study both Ruscombe and Slad catchments, but will start with Ruscombe - her main focus will be on flood allieviation issues. She will calculate the volumes created in the worst flood ever 100-150 years. She can then recommend measures but these will have to be acceptable to land owners. The LIDAR data which shows aerial views down to Puckshole will be invaluable for Ilaria’s work (more on this soon but put LIDAR into search for previous blogs on this).
Puckshole Issues - a resident reported at the meeting that surface water from the housing development at Wheelers Walk runs into Ruscombe Brook and has eroded the bank due to lack of retention. It seems a Section 106 Agreement to adopt the sewers has not been carried out, which may have reduced the flow of this water into the brook. There is a lack of silt traps and balancing tanks etc because the builder of the development went bust and the sewers remain in private ownership. There was also concern re whether the SUDS system under the hard standing at Archway – an egg-box system – was working effectively. The residents of Acre Place have now formed a residents committee and are working together on these issues with GCC. A meeting with Highways is arranged. The meeting hopes to cover oil interception, unadopted drains, bank erosion, culvert capacity and screen, the Archway SUDS and recent lane flooding.
Smell of sewage - on a couple of sections of the brook has been investigated, but without resolution.
Cattle Poaching prevention measure - the bank at the cattle drinking area has eroded back beyond the fence.
Severn Trent update - Randwick sewer is being surveyed by STW.
Funding - a funding opportunity arose last month, but a bid was not put forward due to the tight timescale. It was agreed that more suitable opportunities could be found in the future, when it was clear what work was needed on the brook. However, funding is required soon to support the Householders Pack. This will be looked at along with funding for an updated website - our current one is very tired and has not been updated. Needs lots of work on it.
Brook Maintenance - the recent walk along the whole length of the brook highlighted the lack of maintenance along many parts of the brook. One option is for RBAG to take direct action and group members to do some of this together. One day every three months was suggested with general agreement. However the group recognised that technical advice was needed – perhaps from Stroud Valleys Project about a sensible maintenance programme and wildlife conservation. There were questions about responsibility for culverts and screens and their maintenance. Further investigation is planned.
Watercourse Wardens - People have been appointed to these roles in Randwick and in Ruscombe and Whiteshill but Cainscross Parish still has a vacancy - but someone is interested - they have all been invited to RBAG meetings to help with identifying maintenance and other problems.
AGM - I have just confirmed the hall booking so it will be on Tuesday 8th July in Randwick Village Hall at 7 pm. The programme to include:
• A summary of RBAG achievements - Helen
• 15 min talk from Julian
• Report from Ilaria
• Election of officers for the following year – Philip and Zarin
• Food
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday 17th June. 7.30 Julia’s House - call me on 755451 for details.
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