A prominent environmental campaigner who organised a volunteer clean-up of the River Roding is facing potential prosecution from the Environment Agency (EA) for allegedly acting illegally. Paul Powlesland, a lawyer, led a team of volunteers to remove litter, weed, and silt from a section of the river, a tributary of which runs through rural Essex and Barking, earlier this year.
The River Roding Trust volunteers spent ten days clearing 200 bags of rubbish, branches, and silt from Alders Brook. Powlesland stated he had repeatedly urged the EA to address the river's poor state over several years before taking matters into his own hands. However, he has now received a letter from the EA indicating an investigation into 'unpermitted works' under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.
The EA's letter, which has been seen by The Guardian, stated: "We consider that unpermitted works have taken place… in contravention of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016." It further added that the site is "currently under investigation for permitting and waste offences." The agency alleges that dredging occurred and waste was left within the floodplain, activities requiring an environmental permit, which was not obtained.
Powlesland, who lives on a boat on the Roding, expressed his disbelief at the situation. He commented that after "decades of ignoring rampant environmental crime on the Roding, the Environment Agency has finally decided to act," but not against polluters like Thames Water or illegal waste dumpers. Instead, he noted, the action is directed at the River Roding Trust for "restoring a river without a permit." He highlighted that since the clean-up in February, the cleared section of the river is "coming back beautifully, wildlife is returning."
The River Roding is known to suffer from significant raw sewage discharges, an issue recently raised in the House of Commons by local MP Jas Athwal. Data obtained by the Friends of the Roding indicates that the Cran Brook sewage outflow alone discharges over 750,000 litres of raw sewage into the river annually. Organised criminals have also been illegally dumping waste along the Roding, with the EA reportedly investigating incidents near Stapleford Tawney.
In response, the EA affirmed its commitment to protecting the River Roding and its willingness to collaborate with partners. However, the agency emphasised the necessity of "governance and expert advice" to ensure that any work undertaken does not inadvertently cause harm to flood risk, drainage, or the wider environment. The agency also stated it continues to respond to pollution incidents and rectify pipe misconnections in the river.
Source: The Guardian