Flood-hit Suffolk farmer clears River Deben tree debris

Guy Hayward of Bridge Farm is grateful to Environment Agency (EA) officials for their advice on what he can and can't do following unprecedented flooding of his fields - which lie on the road leading into Wickham Market. He was initially critical of the slowness of the agency's response when he sought expert advice.

He has spent the first week of February clearing debris from the River Deben - which cuts through his land - after an on-site visit by the EA.

Next week - as and when another bout of wet weather abates - he is hoping to tackle an area upriver. All the while he must be careful not to disturb nesting birds or carry out de-silting works without the official go-ahead.

The many complications of riparian rights and duties along rivers have proved a huge headache for landowners like Guy following the flooding unleashed by Storm Babet in October. A period of extreme wet has also delayed works as heavy plant risks getting stuck in the mud.

The storm wreaked havoc in Wickham Market, flooding homes, gardens and fields - including some of Guy's rental properties.

He was left with a massive clean-up operation - but it has taken time to get an EA official on-site to assess the situation.

"I have got more confidence now and I have got the backing of the Environment Agency with certain jobs we can do without a permit like moving loose debris without a permit - so I am much more confident with what we are doing," he said.

Before major funding cuts, landowners say the EA would routinely carry out many more works along rivers such as the Deben - but while it has an oversight role and can act on a discretionary basis, it's now largely left to landowners to clear rivers.

However, this is only within very strict rules - which makes farmers like Guy nervous as they can face prosecution if they get it wrong.

"We can't bang on about what used to be done but clearly there's not the funding now - it's about working together," said Guy.

He has sympathy for the pressures agency workers are under and wants to do what he can to help, he said.

The farm lies along the B1078 and the river runs underneath a road bridge. Underneath the bridge is heavily silted.

It doesn't form part of his riparian duties to maintain it as it is under a road bridge, but Guy is keen to clear it so that the Deben can run more freely. However, he has to wait for permission to carry out such works.

"They (the agency) are putting it in their financial programme for 2024/25 - they have said I can do it but I have to jump through these hoops and it will cost a lot of money," he said.

Even so, he's willing to de-silt it if he does get the green light.

"When we looked the other day when the water level was lower probably about 75% is fairly heavily silted up. It has been like that for ages," he explained.  "There's little flow around there so the water isn't getting away. We have cleaned out (the river) from the bridge to the A12. 

"We have spent this week cleaning out any loose branches - and that's had the full backing of the Environment Agency."

He's received some positive comments from residents about the work he is doing, he said.

He is now working with the East Suffolk Catchment Partnership group, which is hoping to aid the recovery of the River Deben on multiple fronts including habitat and water quality so that it can be enjoyed by wildlife and the public.

"There could be lots of opportunities to enjoy the river," he said.

He added: "I think it's really important for all riparian owners to work together to do their bit to restore the river.

"I'll be the first one to admit that before this storm I didn't take enough interest in this river but I realise now what a beautiful stretch of river it is."

He is trying to do what he can to clear his section of it before the nesting season begins later in February, he said.

The Environment Agency says it reviews its routine maintenance programme with the aid of modelling to ensure works are targeted to areas that are shown to have a flood risk benefit to people and property. 

Its role is to manage flood risk from main river watercourses and the sea. It has powers to maintain “main river” watercourses, but these powers are discretionary - meaning it is not generally under any obligation to maintain watercourses. The primary responsibility for river maintenance sits with the riparian owner - that is, the landowner.

For information, visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/owning-a-watercourse and to see how it apply for a permit to carry out works go to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/flood-risk-activities-environmental-permits