Bexley Council sets up scrutiny sub-group to discuss rivers (From News Shopper)
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Bexley Council sets up scrutiny sub-group to discuss rivers
3:29pm Tuesday 7th August 2012 in Bexley By Kelly Smale
The River Cray when the sluice opened
BEXLEY Council has set up a scrutiny sub-group to discuss the issues facing rivers in the borough.
The group was formed after residents expressed their anger at the Environment Agency for turning the River Cray into a "muddy creek".
The agency temporarily opened a sluice gate downstream of Thames Road, Crayford, in February to help establish the natural water level and manage flood risks.
But homeowners claimed this turned the river into a mud bath and that wildlife including herons, egrets, kingfishers and water voles disappeared.
Structures and drainage manager for the council, Bob Smith, said the sluice was once a flood defence but was now redundant.
He told the group: "Vitbe Sluice is more of a liability than an asset."
The group had their first meeting on August 2 and will meet monthly, which will include site visits.
They intend to make recommendations as to how services could be developed and improved.
