Concerned citizens call for review of government agency

A group of concerned citizens are calling for a review of the Environment Agency’s (EA) current way of working, especially with regards to river pollution across the country.

In a letter delivered to the agency’s Bristol office, the group said their concerns had peaked after the case of Paul Powlesland, a campaigner who was threatened with prosecution for clearing a blocked tributary of the Roding. The threat was later withdrawn, following public outcry.

“The failure of EA to prosecute serious corporate polluters but its willingness to prosecute river guardians who remove litter and restore flows is a clear failure of natural justice,” the letter delivered on Thursday read.

The letter was co-signed by all members of the group and handed at the building reception of the agency’s Bristol office

Richard Lawson, a member of Local Action 4 Water, handed the letter on behalf of the group at the agency’s building reception.

Speaking to Bristol24/7 soon after he said: “The letter tells the story of Paul Powlesland and says it’s against natural justice.

“We want the Environment Agency to start again, as it is not fit for purpose.”

While Lawson doesn’t know if the letter will get a response, he believes the country requires a “total change” in the way it cares for rivers.

“At the moment, it’s being used as a sewer and that is not acceptable”, he added.

In a response to Bristol24/7, EA have confirmed that they have received the group’s letter and will be responding to it on due course.

Richard Lawson read the letter to the group outside the agency’s office on Deanery Road

Powlesland, according to the letter, had found several “illegal” sewer outlets in the Roding which he had informed the EA about. When EA then said they did not have sufficient money to prosecute, Paul and other dedicated volunteers (river guardians) pulled large amounts of waste from the river.

Similarly when the EA cited lack of funding as a reason for not unblocking the tributary of Roding, Paul hired a digger independently and cleared it successfully. He was then threatened prosecution for clearing a waterway without a permit, which was later withdrawn following a public outcry.

“There is a rule there, which is understandable,” added Richard. “But it is a case of natural justice against bureaucracy. I’m sad to say this has turned into a bureaucracy and we need to get it moving again, doing what it is supposed to do.”

A spokesperson from EA told Bristol24/7: “The Environment Agency and River Roding Trust share the same goal of protecting the river Roding and we want to continue to work constructively with the group and the local community to ensure proper permits and assessments are in place and avoid damage to the environment.

“No prosecutions have been made in this case. We issued a warning letter to the River Roding Trust following unpermitted work because environmental permits are a vital safeguard against unintended impacts on waterways and we would not be fulfilling our duties by overlooking the need for them.

“We take our role in protecting and improving rivers, lakes and seas seriously. As a regulator, we will not hesitate to use our powers to hold those responsible for environmental harm to account and to drive improvements in water quality.”

All photos: Karen Johnson

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