Looking downstream from Crawley Bridge. © Copyright Jonathan Billinger and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
I recently wrote to the Oxford Times to express concern for the lack of maintenance of our riverbanks. I thought I’d share these thoughts with you:
Sir – According to its local area operations manager (January 3), the Environment Agency is not responsible for maintaining the River Windrush to reduce the risk of flooding in Witney. The responsibility rests with the owners of the riverbank. This may come as a surprise to the Environment Agency, whose website declares that “managing flood risk is part of our job”, unless, of course, the Agency is not responsible for doing its job.
The news will also surprise the owners of the riverbank, many of whom may not be equipped with bucket and spade to dredge their stretches of river. And many other residents of Witney will also be alarmed to discover that only the residents of the riverbank stand between them and the next flood. The negligence of any single riverbank creature imperils us all. Conservative doctrine happily overlooks the limitations of private interest and community spirit working together for the good of all. The next time David Cameron dons his green wellies to wade through the streets of Witney, even he may pause to consider the public purpose of public agencies.
Stuart Macdonald
Green Party
Stuartmacdonald 