Neil Smart
Senior Member
Yes, I have wondered too...
-
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Upper Thames region.
- Thread starter Colin Gordon
- Start date
Yes, I have wondered too...
Colin Gordon
No Longer a Member
Paul, your discontentment of life ever apparent, I genuinely pity you.
Colin Gordon
No Longer a Member
Still no mention of otters but the problems get ever more ludicrous, emphatically highlighted by British Waterways looking to abstract a peak of 9ML/D from a river that flows at 3-5 ML/D and due to BW's greed they're now reluctant to lower water levels of their feeder reservoirs (Clattercote, Boddington and Napton), as they've rammed tens of thousands of carp into them.
MINUTES OF THE UTFC MEETING OF 17 FEBRUARY 2011 (not previously seen on BFW!)
Correspondence: Vaughan Lewis (VL) continues to pursue a number of water quality issues with the EA at a national level. These concerns began with pollution events from High Wycombe, Banbury and Aylesbury STWE’s but have expanded to cover a range of topics including the setting of Upper Tier consents, and the Agency’s prosecution policy/guidance. Fish Legal have become involved and VL has met with the Head of Water Quality for EA on a number of occasions. Some progress is being made and VL will report back at future meetings.
Water resources are in parlous state, despite near normal rainfall in January. Groundwater levels have fallen and there is now a real risk of a drought this summer.
A request has been received by the Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre for records of crayfish, mink, and water voles in particular.
Richard Knowles (RK) has objected on behalf of UTFC to the reclassification of part of the Kennet and Avon Canal from ‘remaindered’ to ‘cruise way’ . He had received a response from DEFRA in Whitehall asking for the consultative to withdraw its objection. RK had refused based on data that showed a significant impact from boat movements on the ecology of the Kennet. Despite DEFRA’s assertions to the contrary, it is clear that BW are aware of these issues.
An email had been received from Paul St Pierre (EA) regarding potential enhancements on the Kennet. RK and VL had attended a site meeting and had walked sections of the river at Chamberhouse Farm, Hambridge Lane and Wasing Estate. It was agreed that there were opportunities for enhancement at the former two locations. VL had prepared a briefing document which had been sent to the relevant clubs on behalf of the EA. VL had arranged to meet the clubs on site in March to discuss progress.
RK had been unable to attend KVFA but had sent his apologies.
The EA had sent notice of the adoption of the final version of the Oxford Flood Risk Management Strategy. In summary, it will consist of a new channel form Binsey downstream, coupled with flood storage in the Shifford.area. However, new economic modelling shows that the case for a new flood channel is not as strong as previously thought. In light of the present spending cuts, there are real doubts as to whether the strategy will be adopted.
RK made the general point that we should all continue to campaign on important issues, highlighting today’s ‘u’ turn by the government over the national forest sell off.
Fisheries presentation:
Jim Seymour made a presentation on completed and ongoing projects in the UT and Cotswolds. These included:
• A fish pass on the Windrush at Newbridge
• Fencing at Widford
• Gravel riffles on the Thames at Cricklade
• A planned fish pass on the Windrush at Church Mill Standlake
• A fish pass on the Thames at Duxford dependent on OCC permissions
• Fencing of 1400m of the River Churn
There is a long list of streams and rivers that are failing to meet good ecological status under the Water Framework Directive. This will act as a key driver for future enhancement work, including projects at the confluence of the Wilts Ray and Thames, confluence of the Ampney Brook and Thames, on the Cerney Wick Brook, the River Churn, and the River Thames at Waterhay. All these sites are due to receive introductions of gravel to improve barbel/chub spawning.
The Upper Thames barbel project continues, with feedback from anglers that a small number of blue marked stocked barbel have been caught around Hannington Bridge and Castel Eaton. Despite this, barbel numbers in the Upper Thames remain very low. Chub and brown trout are doing moderately well. Possible reasons for poor barbel performance include poor intra-grave l water quality at spawning time, low flows and siltation, and signal crayfish predation.
Tom Sherwood then provided details of enhancements on the River Evenlode. This work had been funded by DEFRA under the WFD and included backwater creation at Blenheim sawmills and Cornbury Park, and the re-seeding of 4 existing riffles with additional gravel.
Tom continued with a presentation on water resource management in the Cherwell catchment.
As requested, he supplied figures for the British Waterways abstraction with a peak volume of 9ML/D recorded and a mean of 3-5 ML/D during summer flow periods. At times, the abstraction rates are greater than the residual flow recorded in the river at Banbury. BW is still exempt from a requirement for an abstraction licence from the Oxford Canal.
Fisheries Report (circulated):
The proposed fish bypass channel on the Seacourt Stream at Hagley Pool is again on hold, pending a hydropower application by the farming interests on the land. There will probably be a need for the applicant to install a fish pass if the scheme is granted consent. Successful installation of a hydropower scheme may also help to reinforce the need for a good flow down the Seacourt at all times.
The Silchester Brook pollution case has been sent to the EA legal team with a view to a prosecution being mounted.
Mike Mann (MM) noted that the last meeting of REFERAC was due later this month. Details of future representation arrangements will be laid out at this meeting. There is a real concern that the loss of REFERAC will lead to a diminution of angler representation to the EA.
Consultative and club reports:
Dave Buckwell asked whether there was any intention to restock after the fish removal from the Osney Loop during repairs to the sluices. TS noted that there was an annual migration to the site for spawning and that he believed that restocking was not necessary.
Concern was expressed regarding the construction of holding lagoons at the recycling plant at Wharton Farm, Cassington, A planning application had been submitted for the discharge of effluent into lagoons, with concerns that leakage may occur into the River Thames and nearby Yarnton and Pixey Meadows. TS agreed to ask for more details from Paul St Pierre, Habitat Directive officer at the EA.
Mike Baston (MB) raised the issue of using volunteer bailiffs to enforce rod licences and byelaws. There was great concern that this was not a positive step and could lead to a series of problems. He also noted that the towpath along the Thames between Bablockhythe and Swinford had been fenced too close to the river.
Alan Hughes highlighted an on-going dispute between Reading and District, and BW regarding over-zealous clearance of section of the bank alongside the K&A canal. RDAA are very angry with how the work was undertaken and the lack of consultation. They are a considering taking the case to Fish Legal.
Jack Swallow/Dave Cohen had undertaken a valuable walk along the Burford reach of the Windrush with Jim Seymour, EA. They thanked Jim for his input into a range of issues.
MINUTES OF THE UTFC MEETING OF 17 FEBRUARY 2011 (not previously seen on BFW!)
Correspondence: Vaughan Lewis (VL) continues to pursue a number of water quality issues with the EA at a national level. These concerns began with pollution events from High Wycombe, Banbury and Aylesbury STWE’s but have expanded to cover a range of topics including the setting of Upper Tier consents, and the Agency’s prosecution policy/guidance. Fish Legal have become involved and VL has met with the Head of Water Quality for EA on a number of occasions. Some progress is being made and VL will report back at future meetings.
Water resources are in parlous state, despite near normal rainfall in January. Groundwater levels have fallen and there is now a real risk of a drought this summer.
A request has been received by the Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre for records of crayfish, mink, and water voles in particular.
Richard Knowles (RK) has objected on behalf of UTFC to the reclassification of part of the Kennet and Avon Canal from ‘remaindered’ to ‘cruise way’ . He had received a response from DEFRA in Whitehall asking for the consultative to withdraw its objection. RK had refused based on data that showed a significant impact from boat movements on the ecology of the Kennet. Despite DEFRA’s assertions to the contrary, it is clear that BW are aware of these issues.
An email had been received from Paul St Pierre (EA) regarding potential enhancements on the Kennet. RK and VL had attended a site meeting and had walked sections of the river at Chamberhouse Farm, Hambridge Lane and Wasing Estate. It was agreed that there were opportunities for enhancement at the former two locations. VL had prepared a briefing document which had been sent to the relevant clubs on behalf of the EA. VL had arranged to meet the clubs on site in March to discuss progress.
RK had been unable to attend KVFA but had sent his apologies.
The EA had sent notice of the adoption of the final version of the Oxford Flood Risk Management Strategy. In summary, it will consist of a new channel form Binsey downstream, coupled with flood storage in the Shifford.area. However, new economic modelling shows that the case for a new flood channel is not as strong as previously thought. In light of the present spending cuts, there are real doubts as to whether the strategy will be adopted.
RK made the general point that we should all continue to campaign on important issues, highlighting today’s ‘u’ turn by the government over the national forest sell off.
Fisheries presentation:
Jim Seymour made a presentation on completed and ongoing projects in the UT and Cotswolds. These included:
• A fish pass on the Windrush at Newbridge
• Fencing at Widford
• Gravel riffles on the Thames at Cricklade
• A planned fish pass on the Windrush at Church Mill Standlake
• A fish pass on the Thames at Duxford dependent on OCC permissions
• Fencing of 1400m of the River Churn
There is a long list of streams and rivers that are failing to meet good ecological status under the Water Framework Directive. This will act as a key driver for future enhancement work, including projects at the confluence of the Wilts Ray and Thames, confluence of the Ampney Brook and Thames, on the Cerney Wick Brook, the River Churn, and the River Thames at Waterhay. All these sites are due to receive introductions of gravel to improve barbel/chub spawning.
The Upper Thames barbel project continues, with feedback from anglers that a small number of blue marked stocked barbel have been caught around Hannington Bridge and Castel Eaton. Despite this, barbel numbers in the Upper Thames remain very low. Chub and brown trout are doing moderately well. Possible reasons for poor barbel performance include poor intra-grave l water quality at spawning time, low flows and siltation, and signal crayfish predation.
Tom Sherwood then provided details of enhancements on the River Evenlode. This work had been funded by DEFRA under the WFD and included backwater creation at Blenheim sawmills and Cornbury Park, and the re-seeding of 4 existing riffles with additional gravel.
Tom continued with a presentation on water resource management in the Cherwell catchment.
As requested, he supplied figures for the British Waterways abstraction with a peak volume of 9ML/D recorded and a mean of 3-5 ML/D during summer flow periods. At times, the abstraction rates are greater than the residual flow recorded in the river at Banbury. BW is still exempt from a requirement for an abstraction licence from the Oxford Canal.
Fisheries Report (circulated):
The proposed fish bypass channel on the Seacourt Stream at Hagley Pool is again on hold, pending a hydropower application by the farming interests on the land. There will probably be a need for the applicant to install a fish pass if the scheme is granted consent. Successful installation of a hydropower scheme may also help to reinforce the need for a good flow down the Seacourt at all times.
The Silchester Brook pollution case has been sent to the EA legal team with a view to a prosecution being mounted.
Mike Mann (MM) noted that the last meeting of REFERAC was due later this month. Details of future representation arrangements will be laid out at this meeting. There is a real concern that the loss of REFERAC will lead to a diminution of angler representation to the EA.
Consultative and club reports:
Dave Buckwell asked whether there was any intention to restock after the fish removal from the Osney Loop during repairs to the sluices. TS noted that there was an annual migration to the site for spawning and that he believed that restocking was not necessary.
Concern was expressed regarding the construction of holding lagoons at the recycling plant at Wharton Farm, Cassington, A planning application had been submitted for the discharge of effluent into lagoons, with concerns that leakage may occur into the River Thames and nearby Yarnton and Pixey Meadows. TS agreed to ask for more details from Paul St Pierre, Habitat Directive officer at the EA.
Mike Baston (MB) raised the issue of using volunteer bailiffs to enforce rod licences and byelaws. There was great concern that this was not a positive step and could lead to a series of problems. He also noted that the towpath along the Thames between Bablockhythe and Swinford had been fenced too close to the river.
Alan Hughes highlighted an on-going dispute between Reading and District, and BW regarding over-zealous clearance of section of the bank alongside the K&A canal. RDAA are very angry with how the work was undertaken and the lack of consultation. They are a considering taking the case to Fish Legal.
Jack Swallow/Dave Cohen had undertaken a valuable walk along the Burford reach of the Windrush with Jim Seymour, EA. They thanked Jim for his input into a range of issues.
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Adam Ditchburn
Senior Member
Thanks for the info Colin, there must be more that we could all do in this region re the Upper Thames and tribs, "some sort of pressure group", I am not usualy up for this of thing but it will be too late soon.
Adam Ditchburn
Senior Member
I have posted the original post onto a general fishing site (FM) to see if there was any reaction, one of the posters stated
Thames Anglers' Conservancy - set up as a pressure group (by amushroom on this forum...and guided by John Hepworth also on this forum) against Thames Water polluting the river with raw sewage. It then evolved into a fishing club doing conservation and fish habitat work on the Lower Thames and its tributaries.
When we at the TAC went to see the EA at head office, they were pleased they had a group they could speak to on Lower Thames matters and said they'd consult with us - they have been true to their word and have consulted and worked with us on issues from fishing platforms, spawning channels, restockings and tributary habitat.
That's why I suggest that the Upper Thames would benefit from all the lads that fish it joining together, just like we did on the Lower. It needs someone like we had with amushroom with a lot of drive to kick it off...that creates momentum and before you know it, you're changing things and making a difference.
This is the website
http://www.rivertac.org/site/
I am never bothered campaigning for anything, but this may be worth a try??
Ray Walton
Senior Member
Mushroom's heart is in the right place. I communicate with him on a regular basis exchanging information and giving him the credit and confidence in what he's doing to which he rightly deserves.
I am sure he would welcome another unit upstream on the Thames. The TAC will become even more powerful if this was to happen, as the top part of the river is just as important as the lower.
I am sure he would welcome another unit upstream on the Thames. The TAC will become even more powerful if this was to happen, as the top part of the river is just as important as the lower.
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Colin Gordon
No Longer a Member
Adam, a bit like you, meetings etc aren't really my cup of tea.
In short; the only body covering our area at present is the UTFC, which in fairness is really a meeting point for local club representatives but ALL are welcome to attend and air their thoughts/concerns.
I am lead to believe that EA representation is in attendance at every meeting (local fisheries officers etc).
The thing is, its not at all like the TAC but I do think fresh interest and greater support would be very welcome, also it'd undoubtedly help.
You can contact either Richard Knowles (secretary) or Vaughan Lewis (co-ordinator and an independant fisheries consultant):
richard.knowles@doverbroecks.com
vaughan@windrushaec.co.uk
The next meeting is on Tuesday 7th June at Farmoor village hall 7.30 (prompt).
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Adrian Williams
No Longer a Member
This is the inevitable result of the burgeoning population in the South East corner of the country. There is no way we can continue as we are without a massive building program of reservoirs
These reservoirs could be topped up with flood water during the wet months and then used to supply water and alleviate the burden of over abstraction on the rivers. Much as the Clywedog dam does on the Severn.
They could also tap into the rising groundwater which costs Londoners a fortune to control, threatens to engulf the cellars and underground were it not for massive pumps running 24/7, the problem is the infrastructure to purify it for use is prohibitively expensive for a privately run company to contemplate. What would the shareholders think.
These reservoirs could be topped up with flood water during the wet months and then used to supply water and alleviate the burden of over abstraction on the rivers. Much as the Clywedog dam does on the Severn.
They could also tap into the rising groundwater which costs Londoners a fortune to control, threatens to engulf the cellars and underground were it not for massive pumps running 24/7, the problem is the infrastructure to purify it for use is prohibitively expensive for a privately run company to contemplate. What would the shareholders think.
David Hall
Senior Member
yep ,lots of reservoirs, with lots of tench.
David Gauntlett
Senior Member
David Hall
Senior Member
why not....What....not stillwater barbel?
Now...where's my tin hat
Cheers, Dave
