A drone is set to look at a blocked river after fears it would cause ‘unmitigated disaster’ for tourism in a town.
Overgrown vegetation and accumulated silt on part of the River Little Ouse have led to concerns about the future vitality of Brandon.
Matt Arnold, the managing partner of the Bridge Hotel Brandon, in High Street, warned last week being unable to use the river, despite paying thousands in boating licences each year, was already having an impact on business.
He said if cleaning efforts were not carried out soon by the Environment Agency (EA), which had not been the case for about three years, the consequences would cause ‘unmitigated disaster’ for the town.
Addressing concerns, an EA spokesman said a drone camera would be used shortly to check the river and focus its maintenance efforts, and that of landowners, ‘where it is needed most’.
The agency said it worked with landowners to ensure the water they managed was clear of debris, overgrown vegetation and other obstructions, and urged anyone with concerns to contact its 24-hour hotline.
According to the agency, dredging and desilting – where sediment is moved from riverbeds – can be considered, but not always the solution due to the cost of the works and the risk to the environment and flooding elsewhere.
Pushed on whether work would be carried out by the end of July, as had been suggested last week, the EA did not respond.
