Wickham Market farmer calls for quicker action on flooding

Guy Hayward of Bridge and Ivy Farms at Wickham Market wants to clear a section of the River Deben which borders his land of debris - and has sought guidance from the Environment Agency. 

Much of his land remains underwater - and recent rain has only added to flooding problems.

He feels the agency has been too slow in responding to his requests for advice - although the agency has now confirmed it will meet with him on January 17.

"I am fed up with the lack of urgency by the Environment Agency to address this directly with landowners in order to negotiate a plan going forwards," he said.

"I am also concerned that the local residents may well be wondering why the rivers haven’t been cleaned out."

Mr Hayward's land - and that of his neighbour, David Rackham - owner of animal feed and solid fuel company ER and RT Rackham Ltd at Deben Mills - flooded on October 20.

Around 45 to 50 acres of Mr Haywards land - a lot of it pasture for livestock or for horses - is flooded - and £30k of recently installed fencing destroyed. He has had to turn away livery customers and pay for extra feed.

Three rented-out homes at Bridge Farm were among 39 homes in Wickham Market which were flooded.

Mr Rackham's sister-in-law's home next to the mill was also heavily flooded, gutting the newly-renovated ground floor.

The homes are being dried out and repaired through insurance claims - but Mr Hayward will have to pay the excess - and expects his premiums to go up.

He feels frustrated that he can't press ahead with work to alleviate flooding problems as he is waiting for EA approval.

"It is my number one priority to do what I can to help prevent the flooding we witnessed in Wickham Market, which also flooded three of our rental properties," he said.

"I would urge landowners who have land bordering the Deben and members of the public who walk near it - if safe to do so - to make a note of any kind of debris laying in the river that might be restricting the flow, and report it to the Environment Agency."

Mr Hayward remains keen to press ahead with work to alleviate the problems on his land.

"The starting point of clearing the river doesn’t have to be a full de-sludge - which obviously could have adverse effects on living species - but just clearing the fallen trees and debris," he said.

He feels that if the River Deben was cleared starting downriver and moving upwards this would reduce the risk of river banks bursting.

Mr Rackham - whose home was also flooded as well as his stores - operates sluice gates at the mill and said despite these being fully open the flow is slow.

"It should be pouring through," he said. "The whole problem is the river is blocked."

Mr Rackham feels the Environment Agency should be doing far more to ensure the flow of the river is not blocked. Previously, they would clear the river on an annual basis, he said.

An Environment Agency spokeswoman said : "We understand that the farmers are facing a challenging situation following Storm Babet. The responsibility for repairing and maintaining a watercourse sits with the person that owns the land on each bank. This also includes clearing anything that could cause an obstruction and increase flood risk if it were washed downstream. 

“We are always willing to speak with the landowners about riparian ownership and responsibility and advise on any permits that may be needed. In some instances we may choose to carry out maintenance activities to assist landowners using its permissive powers, where doing so is a cost-effective way to reduce flood risk to homes and other buildings."