Can I clean my river out?

[Beefsmith]

Got a 1/2 mile stretch of river which we own half of it in our registry deeds.
It’s terribly overgrown in places and I’d like to clean our side out. Neighbour isn’t interested in doing his side and he’s the one that said he didn’t think we were allowed to do it anyway.
I’ve got free use of long reach 360 from a plant company who rent space off us and I’m thinking we could do it this coming winter as the field the river is next to us going into a spring crop.

 

[RAF]

Just do it

 

[Phil P]

It’s easier to ask forgiveness than permission, and they won’t make you put the silt back in so crack on .
The environment agency won’t be out and about much at the moment anyway.

 

[HarryB97]

As above crack on. Clearing away branches and brush is never an issue it's normally the digging that can cause issues. They are so bad at maintenance though you are doing them a favour.

 

[serf]

JFDI . Shows you how bonkers the system has got in this country when you have to ask to clean your own ditch out , you should be fined for not cleaning ditches out and keeping things flowing , oh no not good old blighty incentivesed for not doing it , makes you wonder who dreams this stuff up !

 

[Steevo]

Just be aware that if it's a "main river" then the EA normally want you to ask permission......and most likely wouldn't grant it I would guess!

"Crack on" is the most sensible and practical option.....but it's always good to know which rules you may or may not be breaking too.

Link below to Main River Map.

ArcGIS Web Application

www.arcgis.com

 

[Exfarmer]

Theoretically the EA should be doing this work if it is a main river.
I expect if you ask they will require newt and bat surveys before you start and a Whole host of other rules.
The situation is pathetic, its what you pay drainage rates for.
we have the same situation at the bottom of my garden , this is a main river and it is blocked with several large trees and reeds. The result this summer was a complete choking of the river with duck weed and most of the fish have died

 

[Suffolk Serf]

Sometimes it's best just not to ask the question.

 

[marco]

Sounds like the neighbour doesn't want to pay half. Just do it.

 

[teslacoils]

Sounds like the neighbour doesn't want to pay half. Just do it.

Sounds like the neighbour might dob you in.

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

I am afraid you will have to just do it. I have the same problem with the EA and they make threats afterwards.
It is a good idea to take a few pictures of how bad the river is and especially fallen trees which are blocking the river.

 

[Werzle]

Clearing trees etc should be fine but any earth works on river banks/beds will get you in serious bother.

 

[bobajob]

Sounds like a job for the Christmas Holidays..

 

[shortshift]

Can not do ours sssi,newts,makes our land flood saving local village

 

[Ormond]

Technically I think you're suppose to have bio degradable oil instead of standard hydraulic oil. Heard of a company that run all the oil this way then they dont have to arrange certain diggers to do certain jobs. I was thinking of a similar question when cleaning a ditch on a main road side.....I can probably guess the correct course of action....and it won't be the quick get the job done option.

 

[beardface]

EA are completely unfit for purpose. They've killed more aquatic life and destroyed more habitats through poor maintenance than they've benefitted. The sooner they get a wrecking ball through there department the better!

 

[Canada Farmer]

JFDI . Shows you how bonkers the system has got in this country when you have to ask to clean your own ditch out , you should be fined for not cleaning ditches out and keeping things flowing , oh no not good old blighty incentivesed for not doing it , makes you wonder who dreams this stuff up !

I suspect it a global problem, doesn't matter where you are in the world but when you take away the responsibility of the effected and "give" that responsibility to any form of government then you will be dictated by fools ,idiots , non effected NGO's and bureaucrats.

 

[Hard Graft]

@holwellcourtfarm is the man you need to ask

 

[serf]

I suspect it a global problem, doesn't matter where you are in the world but when you take away the responsibility of the effected and "give" that responsibility to any form of government then you will be dictated by fools ,idiots , non effected NGO's and bureaucrats.

Summed that up better than I could

 

[Happy]

Sounds like a job for the Christmas Holidays..

Sounds more like a £20,000 fine to me.
Big difference between cleaning my river out which is what the OP asked and the cracking on with ditch/burn work most seem to be advising.

Neighbour probably quite happy for the guy on the other side to crack on as he won’t be the one in court when EA get wind of it.