As a result of the community questionnaire and flooding in recent years we have a happy band of folks who volunteered for ditch digging. These very willing people are chomping at the bit to get stuck in and assist in flood alleviation wherever they can.

There are ditches within the village that are currently well maintained and flowing well and others that are not as well cared for and in light of the terrible problems of July 2007, and to a lesser degree 2008 we want to ensure as best that we can that these problems are not repeated.

If you can identify a ditch or water course that is not flowing well and is in need of some light maintenance please let us know via the contacts below. Please bear in mind the laws of Riparian ownership, i.e. if the ditch bounds your property, even if its in the road verge, it is your responsibility to maintain it, this also includes ditches that have been piped and filled, although it is accepted that these will be difficult to maintain. If you are able to maintain your own ditches please look to do this now before the spring growth makes access more difficult and when doing it please ensure that any works that you carry out do not adversely affect any neighbours.

If you know of neighbours who are unable to maintain ditches under their responsibility please either assist or let the ditch digging group know soon. The other thing to bear in mind at this time of year is as spring comes so does a high level of gardening activity and there may be a temptation to dump garden waste over hedges, into ditches or into public footpath areas.

Whilst grass cuttings and hedge clippings may be considered as organic waste they certainly do not help with drainage and ditch flows, not to mention the unsightly mess, so please consider your community and use your brown bin, local recycling centres or your own composting facility.

Do you want to help?

If you are keen to help and have not volunteered is not too late, this project will roll on and we hope be an annual activity, or course as maintenance improves the work load should lessen.

 Flooding and Rainwater action Group

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