Binstead resident and landowner Matt Legge has recently engaged in some heavy-duty land maintenance to help prevent future flooding.
The spring fed watercourse that passes through his land has been cleaned with banks cleared and debris/leaf litter removed.
All these factors can contribute to blockages of watercourses and culverts and pose a flood risk to nearby property and highways.
Dore: Matte Legge has done a phenomenal job
Local ward member, Cllr Ian Dore, said,
“Firstly, Matte Legge has done a phenomenal job, following an action plan that was agreed earlier in the year.
“The rules surrounding bird nesting season dictated the work could not be done before September, but what you see now is a staggering piece of clearance.”
Responsibilities of watercourse maintenance
Regular watercourse maintenance is paramount to ensure the flow of water is unhindered, and it is the responsibility of the landowner to carry out maintenance as and when it is needed.
Guidance for those owning land that contains watercourses, can be found on the Environment Agency Website which outlines riparian responsibility.
Cleaned the boundary ditch
In this case, the landowner also cleaned his boundary ditch which aided the drainage of his land and should reduce the risk of flooding to adjoining properties that had occurred during the intense rainfall of late summer 2021.
Regular watercourse and ditch maintenance is something that the Isle of Wight Council encourage as it reduces the flood risk to nearby property, and highways.
Dore: Gold plated example of local resident taking their riparian rights seriously
Cllr Dore added,
“We revisited the ditch this week to check performance and the work is exemplary. It is a grade A, class 1, gold plated example of a local resident, taking their riparian rights seriously and acting in everyone’s best interests.
“It’s also helped us identify an area that is the council’s responsibility to address, with the wheels being put in motion for that to happen at the earliest opportunity. This collaborative working approach is moving us closer to establishing the ultimate goal.”
Flood drop-in session
A flood drop-in session is being held at Binstead Community Centre on Monday, 5th December, between 3pm and 7pm.
Local residents are welcome to attend and chat with all parties involved and have their say for the future on flood mitigation and prevention in Binstead.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
Image: Neil Youngs, Matt Legge and Ian Dore
