Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
#1
As some of you may be aware, over the last five years or so I have been a regular volunteer with the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership mainly helping out cleaning rubbish out of the Dour. The WCCP run their clean ups from April and October with a halt over the winter so as not to disturb the trout breeding in the gravel river beds. The WCCP are allowed to remove rubbish from the river, but are not allowed to touch the plant life - this falls under the remit of the Environment Agency. The WCCP receives funding from multiple sources including many official bodies. Via the use of volunteer labour, they effectively clean the river for a tiny fraction of the cost any official body would charge.
Firstly, the good news. During 2011 we removed 461 sacks of rubbish, 5 pushbikes, 4 scooters, and 2 trolleys. A total of 50 volunteers had attended for a total of 129 volunteer days. We are now attaining more volunteers than ever before with an average of 18.5 volunteers per work day.
Now the bad news. At our annual 'thank you' meal last week, it was sadly announced that the Environment Agency will cease funding the WCCP's work in the Dour. They will no longer be providing the £2000 funding that pays for the tools, group insurance, transport and supervisor funds. Due to claimed financial constraints they have allegedly decided that rubbish does not fall under their remit and that they intend to concentrate their efforts in The Stour.
Unless funding to the extent of about £2000 can be found from alternative sources, the clean ups will end and the Dour Walk will revert to a state that will be an embarrassment to Dover. The rubbish will build up creating an unsightly mess and effectively undoing all the good work, care and attention that has gone into making our river the attractive and environmentally- healthy state it currently is. This, of course, will be the detriment of locals, tourists and the wildlife. It should be unthinkable that the town bearing the Olympic Torch next year may potentially have a rubbish dump flowing through it.
Although those willing could continue on an individual basis, providing accommodation could be found for the equipment, we would have to take out our own personal insurance which could be prohibitively expensive for many members.
The fight isn't over yet, but I thought readers may like to be aware of a potential disaster about to unfold should the situation not be resolved over the next few months.
Please note that I am only a volunteer with the WCCP and am not a paid staff member or engaged in any official position within the group whatsoever. I have had no access to any e-mails between the two bodies.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#2
interesting and confusing at the same time, i have had much correspondence with the environment agency over the years i have been here and even had a reply once.
the missive clearly stated that they were responsible for the ecology of the river, in laypersons terms weeds.
litter was the responsibility of the local council.
bearing that in mind i naturally assumed that d.d.c. were funding w.c.c.p to assist in removing litter from the water.
maybe ian could contribute here due to his experience in dealing with the environment agency and council steering groups.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#3
That is awful, since when has one river been more important than another.
Oh I forgot the River Stour just happens to run through the City of Canterbury, obviously Dover a lowly town counts for nothing in their eyes.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
#4
Perhaps with developments kicking off further upstream (paper mill) some money should get put into the river..??
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
#5
I don't think raising £2000 would be impossible sum for next year, but a regular and reliable source of income would be desirable. Otherwise the problem will be repeated every year. An annual Dour charitable fund would doubtless attract diminishing returns.
I'm afraid I cannot comment on how the WCCP allocates money to each individual project - that's an internal matter for them, and besides, I don't know!
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
#6
To think that Dover is the oldest place-name in the British Isles, as too is the name of the river Dour.
Yes, the cradle of British civilization.
#7
461 sack of rubbish
Cannot some lobbying be done for finance from sponsers......and where the council has their huge advertising boards all around the town...currently advertising their Environmental Rubbish Schemes
This River can be shown....what happens to it....the beauty of it when it is flowing and clean etc.............then the General Public will be less ignorant about it......
Thus sponsers etc....will have some acknowledgement.....it is such a lovely River....
Why do we have to fight for everything to be kept going in this Town
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#8
just had this in from member and town councillor pat sherratt who is having trouble getting online at this time and he wants members to see the contract between the council and the contractor.
The Contractor is required to undertake the Cleansing of the following areas and the removal of all collected material to the designated disposal facility:
a) Areas of the River Dour to be included
1) the pond by Buckland Mill (left hand side of the bridge)
2) Buckland Bridge Area (by car park, right hand side of bridge)
3) Either side of Lorne Road
4) Whole length of Barton Path
5) Whole length from where Park Place joins Ladywell to Castle Street
6) and Dolphin House to Bench Street Grilles
All areas to be treated as Zone 2b and are to be maintained to the standards of cleanliness and times for restore to a clean condition be as set out below:-
Grade A ; No litter or refuse
Grade B ; predominantly free of litter except for light littering of small items
Grade C ; accumulations of litter or larger items. e.g. supermarket trolleys, car wheels etc.
Grade D ; significant accumulations of litter, bags of refuse and any debris on the screens at entrances to culverts etc
These areas are to be restored to Grade A standard within the following times:
Grade B : should be restored to Grade A within 3 days
Grade C : should be restored to Grade A next day
Grade D ; should be restored to Grade A within hours
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#9
There is a nice large trolley in the river by the Charlton Centre Car Park that has been there at least 4 days.
Being a bit thick today, does the above mean in the river or river banks or just the pathways???????????????
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#10
jan,that trolly has been there for the last 2 weeks or more.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#11
Who is the Contractor?
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#12
here is the offending trolley, i presume that they mean veolia.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#13
The last I heard was that the contractors were not to get into the river, just pick it out with their litter-pickers from the river bank/side.
I remember a few years ago, Ken getting into the river with a couple of other guys and did a really good job.
The more rubbish that is in the river, the more rubbish it attracts, so it does need to be taken out as soon as is possible.
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#14
rather an odd one about the contractors not getting in the river when volunteers do.
thinking back i have seen workers in the river at the stretch next to the underpass.
Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
#15
Contractors won't do it due to H+S, they do it by the bypass as the correct equipment was put in place, Steps and harness gear holders.
The W.C.C.P have to wear life jackets gloves and goggles and should imagine contractors would have to do the same.
You must remember that the river Dour is a very dangerous place to work, torrents of water, under drag, rogue tidal drags and god knows what.
Howard, the the groups and the people in charge had the chance of my experience years ago but a few decided to stab me in the back and kick me out ( WCCP ) so I'm afraid to say that the Dour will be left to whatever happens to it.
Roger, that was me and Ken that decided to do that, down by the bowling green.
A good job done just by 3 people even the papers took interest and the forum. A week later it was back to normal.
The Dour I'm afraid is doomed to modern times.
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
#16
Lifejackets
The world has gone mad...
Very sorry to hear you had the boot..Ian...you sound as if you love the river...but then what has love got to do with it
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#17
Sorry I didn't mention you Ian, I couldn't remember who else was in there with Ken.
Sadly it looks like you are right Ian; so many times we've said about a warden, but it will never come about - as you have so rightly said on many occasions. I didn't know it was WCCP who had stabbed you in the back.
Roger
Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
#18
Yes Charlie I did and still do but will not get involved in talk talk and more talk. I'm a doer not a talker as many people will tell you.
All water under the bridge now Roger.
I do feel sad for the Dour.
I forgot to add...........WHY does any volunteer force need funding like this one?
The old Riverwatch gang paid out of our own pockets for years until Mike Webb came along, The basics acquired and there was no more need for money, we did it for the river.
If your after money Phil then you'd better pack up now.
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#19
getting back to post 8 my understanding is that stretch near to asda is not covered by the cleaning.
can we now expect the supermarket trolley to be a permanent feature?
if so then someone clever at the council could put up a plaque saying that it is the latest work by tracey emin - should pull in the tourists by the coachload
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
#20
Roger mentions above that famous day when Ken Tranter who might have been Mayor at the time, I cant quite remember accurately if he was, got in the river for a clean up with long serving Ian and another chap. It was in the section near the bowling green and it did attract media attention...
Ive trawled back to find the pictures.. from 2007 I believe. I have more but here's two..
Ken above plus other chap with a Halfords BOGOF offer..rescued from the deep!
Ken, Ian, and the other chap again, unfortunately I dont remember his name....systematically cleaning it piece by piece...
