Call for action on overgrown riverbank

A FRUSTRATED Wimborne resident is urging authorities to tidy up an overgrown stretch of the River Allen.

David Brown says he has watched the gradual decline of the river between Walford Bridge and Iron Bridge on Elizabeth Road since he moved to the area more than 40 years ago.

He explained that although homeowners do their best to keep trees and bushes tidy on the east bank, the west bank has been allowed to grow our of control.

The bank runs parallel to the grounds of Allenbourn Middle School. There is confusion concerning its ownership although East Dorset District Council manages a footpath that runs between the school fields and the river.

"Most of us keep our banks tidy but the opposite bank is absolutely disgusting," Mr Brown said.

"The whole bank is in terrible order. Some of the overhanging trees are nearly falling in the river and the weed gets so high in the summer that you can hardly see the water.

"It is time to sort out who is responsible for it - it is quite clear that residents are responsible for their frontage. So many people walk along the river and I'm sure they would all appreciate it if it was kept tidy."

A spokesman for East Dorset District Council said, although the authority's contractors cut the grass alongside the riverbank seven times between April and October, the strip of land is not owned by the council.

"There is no known owner," the council spokesman said.

"We took over the upkeep about six years ago because it wasn't being done but it is the responsibility of the Environment Agency if overhanging branches are affecting the flow of the river."

An Environment Agency spokesman said the organisation has a duty to remove any vegetation that could restrict the flow of the watercourse, which is part of the Wimborne Flood Alleviation Scheme. He explained that works needs to be carefully timed to avoid causing harm to the river's population of native white-clawed crayfish and migratory salmon.

"We have removed branches and trees in the past. The last big clear out was around three years ago and there are no plans for any major works at present," he said.

"Flows have been depleted since last summer and it could just be that the river isn't being flushed through. Reedbeds can look untidy at this time of year."

Anyone who believes that trees and other vegetation are restricting the flow of a local watercourse should contact the Environment Agency on 0800 807060.

Mat Manning

mmanning@bvmedia.co.uk