Status unknown
The state of the river colne..
Reported anonymously at 10:02, Sat 6 July 2019
Sent to Colchester Borough Council and Essex County Council 3 minutes later. FixMyStreet ref: 1686455.
The river colne has been let to get in a very bad way ..I have fished every part of this river for over sixty years. And use to swim in it every summer when I was a kid. You cant even fish it now.Please take a look at it from north station road bridge/ Its BAD. its like this the full length of the river
Updates
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They are trying to fix it at moment as I write/ or part of it.........WHAT IT NEEDS IS TO BE DREDGED PROPERLY.. From one end' to the other . I can remember it being done often when I was younger many many years ago..I know every inch of this river and its a shame to see it like it is not being used.........
Posted anonymously at 09:54, Mon 5 August 2019
Still open, via questionnaire -
These three photos show the state of the river running by the side of Remembrance Avenue (North of Sheepen Road). There is so much reed and weed growth that the water is rarely visible for the entire river running upstream to Spring Lane bridge.
Posted anonymously at 21:46, Mon 14 August 2023
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I think you need to talk to the Environment Agency. My understanding is that dredging a river is something done for navigation purposes and there is no longer a need. The EA will probably say it's better for wildlife if it isn't dredged. It would certainly be interesting to know what they answer.
In any case, if I am correct that the primary reason for dredging is navigation and our society seems to prefer road and rail to water transport, there is no financial justification for the expense. Perhaps we'll have to take it philosophically and enjoy the reeds instead.
Posted anonymously at 10:05, Sat 23 September 2023
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Many years ago the river was navigable by the Environment Agency's reed cutting and dredging boat. The reeds were cut regularly and the river dredged to maintain flow. It left the river capable of supporting rowing or canoeing down that stretch of river along Cymbeline Way. This was not however the main reason for carrying out this work. It was dredged where needed to remove reed bed accumulations and reeds cut to manage their growth. This ensured that the river had good flow rates, remained healthy by removing vegetation excess that would cause oxygen depletion during decay of such during the winter. It also had the primary aim of ensuring that flood waters could be dealt with by the Weirs at Castle Park and the old mill at the base of East Hill. It is noted that the summer water levels are much reduced these days from what I remember some 20 years ago.
Posted anonymously at 20:01, Sat 23 September 2023
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I personally don't have a strong opinion on the matter, although I have to recognise that the rivers existed millions of years before man and will continue to exist whether we dredge them or not and I also recognise that unmanaged rivers in an urban setting may not be a good idea. I simply do not know what the currently-accepted best solution is.
It isn't me that you need to convince though. Have you spoken to the EA?
Posted anonymously at 13:14, Mon 25 September 2023
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