Llanelli AM Helen Mary Jones and Plaid’s Westminster candidate for Llanelli Myfanwy Davies have been left feeling reassured following a positive meeting with Dwr Cymru. Senior Management from Dwr Cymru met with both Helen Mary and Myfanwy to discuss the ongoing issues in Llanelli with regards to water quality and flooding.
During the meeting, Dwr Cymru gave their commitment that they will continue to do everything that they can to ensure that the issue will be resolved. Even though the water quality has improved, it is still unclear what is causing the mass cockle deaths which is affecting the livelihoods of many local fishermen and cockle pickers in the area.
Both Helen Mary and Myfanwy has been very concerned about the worrying possibility that cockle beds in the Burry Estuary may continue to die this year – a situation that would cause devastation to the local industry.
Plaid's Helen Mary Jones said:
“I was pleased after the meeting that the Senior Manager from Welsh Water were taking the issues with regards to water quality and flooding in Llanelli very seriously. It is disappointing that Ofwat’s interference means that some of the planned investment will now not be met, but I do have some confidence that working together with the other appropriate agencies, Dwr Cymru will make what progress they can on these issues. They have committed to keeping myself and Myfanwy informed on progress, and we will certainly be keeping a very close eye on developments as they move forward.”
Myfanwy added:
"I’m very pleased that Senior Managers from Welsh Water were able to come and have a wide ranging discussion with us. We touched on a number of issues to do with the Estuary and also flooding within the area. I’m particularly pleased that they were able to make an unequivocal commitment that they would do what had to be done to ensure that Dwr Cymru is not contributing to the cockle deaths. I think that this is an important commitment for cockle fishermen in Llanelli and for other people who are reliant on the industry.”
Showing posts with label estuary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label estuary. Show all posts
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Myfanwy and Mari Davies back Pwll residents fighting for answers on flooding
Following the misery caused by flooding in Llanelli earlier this month, Dr Myfanwy Davies Plaid’s Westminster Candidate for Llanelli and her mother, Hengoed Councillor Cllr. Mari Davies visited residents in the Nurseries and Bassett Terrace in Pwll.
Residents raised concerns about the management of the river Dulais, the bed of which has risen considerably due to a failure to remove silt and stones. Concerns have also been raised about the condition of the mud and sand bank behind the Nurseries which was breached this month leading to severe flooding in the Nurseries. Further concerns raised by residents in Bassett Terrace centre on the diversion of the River Dulais which now flows directly behind their homes.
Trudi Williams who is a spokesperson for the group said:
“When I moved here they said that severe flooding happens once in seventy years but we’ve had floods three times in the last ten years. During all that time, the silt and stones in the river have not been cleared and the only time I have ever seen people from the Environment Agency here is once we have had flooding. They admit responsibility for managing the river, so let’s see some management. We need the river cleared so that there is room for the water to flow because the arches under the bridge are nearly underwater even on a dry day. When there is heavy rain, it has got to the point where it will overflow. I live in dread of stormy weather now because I just don’t know how bad it could get”
Myfanwy Davies said: “It is clear that the Agency needs to remove the silt and stones from the river Dulais. I am appalled that they have allowed the river bed to fill up so dangerously when we know that the area suffers from flooding and I will be demanding swift action to clear the debris before the next heavy rain”.
“It is very disappointing that the Agency is seeking to avoid responsibility for the flood defenses behind the Nurseries. Together with Helen Mary Jones I will be working to establish who owns the bank so that we can ensure that resources are found to build adequate flood defenses”.
“I was shown photos of the River Dulais where it is diverted behind Basset Terrace after heavy rain and it is clear that the 90 degree bend slows the flow of the water and is much more likely to cause flooding. I have been told that representatives of the Environment Agency have agreed to reinforce the wall behind the nurseries but none of the residents know what implications that building work would have further upstream. I have written to Jane Davidson AM, the Minister for the Environment to ask her for an inquiry into the potential risk of flooding where rivers have been diverted by the Environment Agency. Clearly there are implications for other areas where rivers have been diverted. I will ask the Minister to ensure that the Agency performs its basic statutory duty of managing the river behind the Nurseries and I have also asked Helen Mary Jones to call a meeting with Ms Davidson and local residents at the earliest possible date”.
Cllr Mari Davies said: “It is just not acceptable for the Environment Agency to try to avoid its fundamental duty of managing the river north of Pwll Road. If the residents of the Nurseries are responsible for the bank, and that is debatable, why were they never informed of that and advised what to do to protect their homes? We need to know whether a flooding risk assessment was performed before the river Dulais was diverted south of Pwll Road. Myfanwy is quite right to raise those questions with Helen Mary and the Minister.”
Diwedd / Ends
Notes for Editors:
The residents are keen to address 3 issues:
1. To have the river dredged behind the Nurseries
2. To establish who owns that bank, what defense works would be suitable and what resources could be found to help them build them
3. To establish whether the houses in Bassett Terrace and The Nurseries are more likely to be flooded following the diversion of the Dulais and the low walls build around it to prevent flooding.
Residents raised concerns about the management of the river Dulais, the bed of which has risen considerably due to a failure to remove silt and stones. Concerns have also been raised about the condition of the mud and sand bank behind the Nurseries which was breached this month leading to severe flooding in the Nurseries. Further concerns raised by residents in Bassett Terrace centre on the diversion of the River Dulais which now flows directly behind their homes.
Trudi Williams who is a spokesperson for the group said:
“When I moved here they said that severe flooding happens once in seventy years but we’ve had floods three times in the last ten years. During all that time, the silt and stones in the river have not been cleared and the only time I have ever seen people from the Environment Agency here is once we have had flooding. They admit responsibility for managing the river, so let’s see some management. We need the river cleared so that there is room for the water to flow because the arches under the bridge are nearly underwater even on a dry day. When there is heavy rain, it has got to the point where it will overflow. I live in dread of stormy weather now because I just don’t know how bad it could get”
Myfanwy Davies said: “It is clear that the Agency needs to remove the silt and stones from the river Dulais. I am appalled that they have allowed the river bed to fill up so dangerously when we know that the area suffers from flooding and I will be demanding swift action to clear the debris before the next heavy rain”.
“It is very disappointing that the Agency is seeking to avoid responsibility for the flood defenses behind the Nurseries. Together with Helen Mary Jones I will be working to establish who owns the bank so that we can ensure that resources are found to build adequate flood defenses”.
“I was shown photos of the River Dulais where it is diverted behind Basset Terrace after heavy rain and it is clear that the 90 degree bend slows the flow of the water and is much more likely to cause flooding. I have been told that representatives of the Environment Agency have agreed to reinforce the wall behind the nurseries but none of the residents know what implications that building work would have further upstream. I have written to Jane Davidson AM, the Minister for the Environment to ask her for an inquiry into the potential risk of flooding where rivers have been diverted by the Environment Agency. Clearly there are implications for other areas where rivers have been diverted. I will ask the Minister to ensure that the Agency performs its basic statutory duty of managing the river behind the Nurseries and I have also asked Helen Mary Jones to call a meeting with Ms Davidson and local residents at the earliest possible date”.
Cllr Mari Davies said: “It is just not acceptable for the Environment Agency to try to avoid its fundamental duty of managing the river north of Pwll Road. If the residents of the Nurseries are responsible for the bank, and that is debatable, why were they never informed of that and advised what to do to protect their homes? We need to know whether a flooding risk assessment was performed before the river Dulais was diverted south of Pwll Road. Myfanwy is quite right to raise those questions with Helen Mary and the Minister.”
Diwedd / Ends
Notes for Editors:
The residents are keen to address 3 issues:
1. To have the river dredged behind the Nurseries
2. To establish who owns that bank, what defense works would be suitable and what resources could be found to help them build them
3. To establish whether the houses in Bassett Terrace and The Nurseries are more likely to be flooded following the diversion of the Dulais and the low walls build around it to prevent flooding.
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
Myfanwy and Pembrey councillors demand action on release of sewage into Burry Inlet
Dr Myfanwy Davies, Plaid’s Llanelli Westminster candidate, has obtained data from the Environment Agency that show levels of sewage in the Burry Inlet from Pembrey that are once again in breach of European standards. Readings for sewage bacteria (Feacal Coliforms and Feacal Streptococci) in the inlet rose from 10 parts per 100 ml. on July 1st and 32 on the 9th July to 400 on the 17th July and 420 on the 23rd July. During July, sewage bacteria thus increased by more than three thousand percent (3000%). This follows heavy rain on the night of the 15/16th during which the Ashburnham sewage pump discharged untreated sewage for 12 hours. As heavy rain also fell on the night of July the 28/29th, it is expected that levels of sewage bacteria will continue to be very high during the next week.
While these reading are classified as ‘good’ by the UK and EU standards, the Environment Agency’s own figures show they are many times worse than the vast majority of beaches in Wales tested by the Agency. In addition UK/EU standards of ‘good’ water quality have been criticised for causing a number of health risks. Conditions proven to be associated with sewage pollution in bathing water within acceptable (‘good’) UK/EU levels are problems of the digestive tract and skin diseases. The EU has much higher bathing water standards than these where sea life is in danger of being poisoned by algae growing on sewage particles (eutrification). Since 2002, parts of the Burry Inlet have been classified as being at risk in this way.
Following an intervention by Dr. Davies on 30th June, Plaid MEP, Jill Evans met with representatives of the European Commission to inform them of recent levels of sewage pollution and continuing cockle deaths in the Inlet. As a result of this meeting, infringement proceedings, leading to a possible £1 million per day fine on the UK Government, have been started. Ms. Evans will be informing the European Commission of the recent surge in pollution.
Dr. Davies said:“The Environment Agency allows Dŵr Cymru to release raw sewage into the inlet in circumstances where sewage would otherwise flow back towards people’s homes. Of course discharging sewage is better than allowing it to flood people’s homes, but it is shocking that Dŵr Cymru continues to put people in Llanelli, Pembrey and Burry Port in this position.”
“Following a report form the UK Government on the need to separate sewage and storm water, it is likely that Welsh law will make the separation of sewage and storm water compulsory. In the light of this, Dŵr Cymru has publicly committed itself to separate sewage and storm water by replacing old and deficient pipes such as those that have served Llanelli, Burry Port and Pembrey for decades. The company has also indicated its intention to build a new water treatment works, but what we need to see is a timetable for replacing the pipes and building the sewage works. We pay high water rates in Llanelli and it is right that we expect Dŵr Cymru to respect its obligation to us to keep us and our homes safe and to preserve the cockle industry.”
Cllr Robin Burn from Pembrey said: “People in Pembrey and all along the inlet should not have to accept that their bathing water is polluted time and again because the sewage processing plant at Bynea is inadequate. UK Standards for bathing water are low and pose risks to people’s health. Added to that, the estuary is a particularly sensitive area and we are in danger of losing the cockle industry. Dŵr Cymru must commit to building the new water treatment works.”
Cllr Malcolm Davies of Pembrey added:
“People in Pembrey are worried that once again Cefn Sidan next year will not be awarded a blue flag. This is in marked contrast to the increase in Welsh beaches that reach this level and there are fears that it will have an effect on people’s confidence in the safety of the water and their willingness to visit Pembrey. It is very frustrating that the Environment agency, which is the body that awards Blue Flags is also the body that allows this pollution to happen when there is a storm”.
Notes to Editor:
Welsh Water/ Dŵr Cymru response to the DEFRA paper calling for a halt to releasing surface water through the sewage system can be found at: http://www.dwrcymru.co.uk/English/library/publications/surface%20water%20management%20strategy/english.pdf
For complications associated with sewage pollution within acceptable EU/UK levels see for example: Prieto, MD et al. J Epidemiol Community Health 2001;55:442-447. http://jech.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/55/6/442
While these reading are classified as ‘good’ by the UK and EU standards, the Environment Agency’s own figures show they are many times worse than the vast majority of beaches in Wales tested by the Agency. In addition UK/EU standards of ‘good’ water quality have been criticised for causing a number of health risks. Conditions proven to be associated with sewage pollution in bathing water within acceptable (‘good’) UK/EU levels are problems of the digestive tract and skin diseases. The EU has much higher bathing water standards than these where sea life is in danger of being poisoned by algae growing on sewage particles (eutrification). Since 2002, parts of the Burry Inlet have been classified as being at risk in this way.
Following an intervention by Dr. Davies on 30th June, Plaid MEP, Jill Evans met with representatives of the European Commission to inform them of recent levels of sewage pollution and continuing cockle deaths in the Inlet. As a result of this meeting, infringement proceedings, leading to a possible £1 million per day fine on the UK Government, have been started. Ms. Evans will be informing the European Commission of the recent surge in pollution.
Dr. Davies said:“The Environment Agency allows Dŵr Cymru to release raw sewage into the inlet in circumstances where sewage would otherwise flow back towards people’s homes. Of course discharging sewage is better than allowing it to flood people’s homes, but it is shocking that Dŵr Cymru continues to put people in Llanelli, Pembrey and Burry Port in this position.”
“Following a report form the UK Government on the need to separate sewage and storm water, it is likely that Welsh law will make the separation of sewage and storm water compulsory. In the light of this, Dŵr Cymru has publicly committed itself to separate sewage and storm water by replacing old and deficient pipes such as those that have served Llanelli, Burry Port and Pembrey for decades. The company has also indicated its intention to build a new water treatment works, but what we need to see is a timetable for replacing the pipes and building the sewage works. We pay high water rates in Llanelli and it is right that we expect Dŵr Cymru to respect its obligation to us to keep us and our homes safe and to preserve the cockle industry.”
Cllr Robin Burn from Pembrey said: “People in Pembrey and all along the inlet should not have to accept that their bathing water is polluted time and again because the sewage processing plant at Bynea is inadequate. UK Standards for bathing water are low and pose risks to people’s health. Added to that, the estuary is a particularly sensitive area and we are in danger of losing the cockle industry. Dŵr Cymru must commit to building the new water treatment works.”
Cllr Malcolm Davies of Pembrey added:
“People in Pembrey are worried that once again Cefn Sidan next year will not be awarded a blue flag. This is in marked contrast to the increase in Welsh beaches that reach this level and there are fears that it will have an effect on people’s confidence in the safety of the water and their willingness to visit Pembrey. It is very frustrating that the Environment agency, which is the body that awards Blue Flags is also the body that allows this pollution to happen when there is a storm”.
Notes to Editor:
Welsh Water/ Dŵr Cymru response to the DEFRA paper calling for a halt to releasing surface water through the sewage system can be found at: http://www.dwrcymru.co.uk/English/library/publications/surface%20water%20management%20strategy/english.pdf
For complications associated with sewage pollution within acceptable EU/UK levels see for example: Prieto, MD et al. J Epidemiol Community Health 2001;55:442-447. http://jech.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/55/6/442
Monday, 29 June 2009
Myfanwy and Jill Evans MEP fight for answers on cockle-deaths and flooding in Europe
Following a request by Dr Myfanwy Davies, Plaid’s Llanelli Westminster candidate, Plaid MEP Jill Evans will meet with representatives of the European Commission on Wednesday (1st July). Recent figures show that cockles are continuing to die in large numbers putting the future of Llanelli’s cockle industry at risk. Last week a packed meeting called by a National Assembly Committee also heard accounts by people across Llanelli who had been victims of flooding.
Myfanwy is concerned that the existing flooding problem is being made considerably worse by the effects of more extreme weather but also by insufficient attention given by government agencies to the impact of some large-scale housing developments on draining surface water and on over-used sewage facilities.
Myfanwy has recently backed calls for independent scientific research to explore the reasons for the cockle deaths so that action can be taken while there is still a fishery to protect.
Ms. Evans will question the representatives of the Commission on where responsibility lies for calling for environmental impact assessments to assess the full impact developments will have on our environment. She will also ask officials about potential sanctions where for organisations have not called for these assessments where risks to the environment such as flooding have followed. Ms Evans will also request details of investigations into events similar to the cockle deaths elsewhere in Europe and will ask for these reports to be made available to Welsh scientists, cockle pickers and campaigners.
Ms. Evans said:
“Flooding in Llanelli is becoming much more severe and more frequent. This is partly due to the more extreme weather but it is a cause for concern that many new developments in the area that involve concreting over land that would drain water have not been subject to proper environmental impact assessments. I am not against new houses where they are affordable and needed, but we must make sure that new developments are properly assessed and that sensible measures are built into them to allow water to drain and to prevent flooding elsewhere”.
“I have been supporting the fishermen’s campaign to find out what is killing the cockles for a number of years. It is sad and frustrating that we are no nearer to getting real answers while the fishery risks being destroyed. There is no substitute for rigourous scientific research into this, and I will use my meeting with the representatives of the Commission to gather evidence on similar events in other places.”
Myfanwy said:
“I am delighted that Jill Evans has been able to organize a meeting with representative of the Commission so quickly. Our communities are suffering from severe flooding on a much more regular basis than was previously the case. The Assembly’s meeting last Friday confirmed to me the importance of making sure that new developments along the estuary do not effect flooding elsewhere. Jill Evans is also intending to raise the issue of the cockle deaths. We urgently need to know what is killing the cockles so that we can act to preserve the fishery and the livelihoods that depend on it.”
Myfanwy is concerned that the existing flooding problem is being made considerably worse by the effects of more extreme weather but also by insufficient attention given by government agencies to the impact of some large-scale housing developments on draining surface water and on over-used sewage facilities.
Myfanwy has recently backed calls for independent scientific research to explore the reasons for the cockle deaths so that action can be taken while there is still a fishery to protect.
Ms. Evans will question the representatives of the Commission on where responsibility lies for calling for environmental impact assessments to assess the full impact developments will have on our environment. She will also ask officials about potential sanctions where for organisations have not called for these assessments where risks to the environment such as flooding have followed. Ms Evans will also request details of investigations into events similar to the cockle deaths elsewhere in Europe and will ask for these reports to be made available to Welsh scientists, cockle pickers and campaigners.
Ms. Evans said:
“Flooding in Llanelli is becoming much more severe and more frequent. This is partly due to the more extreme weather but it is a cause for concern that many new developments in the area that involve concreting over land that would drain water have not been subject to proper environmental impact assessments. I am not against new houses where they are affordable and needed, but we must make sure that new developments are properly assessed and that sensible measures are built into them to allow water to drain and to prevent flooding elsewhere”.
“I have been supporting the fishermen’s campaign to find out what is killing the cockles for a number of years. It is sad and frustrating that we are no nearer to getting real answers while the fishery risks being destroyed. There is no substitute for rigourous scientific research into this, and I will use my meeting with the representatives of the Commission to gather evidence on similar events in other places.”
Myfanwy said:
“I am delighted that Jill Evans has been able to organize a meeting with representative of the Commission so quickly. Our communities are suffering from severe flooding on a much more regular basis than was previously the case. The Assembly’s meeting last Friday confirmed to me the importance of making sure that new developments along the estuary do not effect flooding elsewhere. Jill Evans is also intending to raise the issue of the cockle deaths. We urgently need to know what is killing the cockles so that we can act to preserve the fishery and the livelihoods that depend on it.”
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