HOUSEHOLDS in Crayford have slammed the Environment Agency for turning a "beautiful" part of the River Cray into a "muddy creek".

The agency partially opened a sluice gate downstream of Thames Road two weeks ago to help establish the natural water level and manage flood risks.

But residents claim this tactic has turned the river into a mud bath and that wildlife including herons, egrets, kingfishers and water voles has now disappeared.

Chairman of Barns Cray Road Riverside Residents Association, Gareth Bullard, says parts of the river have gone from 25ft wide to 3ft wide.

He said: "It's dramatic. It's gone from a beautiful river down to a muddy creek, virtually overnight.

"It's been catastrophic to the wildlife."

The 53-year-old, who has lived in Crayford for 30 years, added: "I would like to know where the fish have gone. We are talking about a lot of fish of a fairly reasonable size.

"We are fortunate to have the River Cray at the bottom of our garden. It just breaks your heart to see it so low and to think it could permanently be that way. So much would be lost.

"It's legal vandalism."

However the Environment Agency says there is sufficient water in the river for the fish.

It also claims that once the sluice is closed, the water will return to the previous level within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the speed of the flows.

Willie Cooper, chairman of Crayford Rivers Group, told News Shopper: "It's atrocious. We thought they were only lowering the water but they have opened the sluice gates completely which has drained the river.

"All the wildlife has disappeared.

"We want the sluice gates put back. They have had their fun now let's go back and talk about what the next stage is."

Bexleyheath and Crayford MP David Evennett has made representations on behalf of constituents to the chief executive of the Environment Agency and has also made the Secretary of State, Caroline Spelman, aware of the issue.

Bexley Council's Crayford ward councillor, Melvin Seymour, said: "I absolutely share the residents' concerns and sympathy.

"The Environment Agency has got to do something about this. I very much fear that the river will not recover from this.

"They need to be man enough to say they might have got this wrong."

Cllr Seymour has invited the agency to the council's Environment and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee on March 22 to be quizzed by members.

Environment Agency

An Environment Agency spokeswoman said the sluice gate will remain open until March 19.

She added: "Whilst the sluice is open, the water level will be significantly lower, exposing much of the silt in the river.

"We understand this is a dramatic change to the look of the river.

"We are closely monitoring the impact that lowered water levels are having on local wildlife, including fish.

"This includes monitoring the salinity to establish whether there is an effect on the tidal limit of the river.

"So far, there has been no detrimental effect on the local wildlife and we are continuing to monitor the situation closely."