Douglas Local Environment Agency Plan Annual Review Summary 2000/2001 En v ir o n m e n t ENVIRONMENT AGENCY Ag e n c y n126174 iiin iiii j u i River Douglas and two main tributaries; the River Yarrow and River Lostock. It includes the towns of Leyland and Chorley in the northern area and Wigan, Skelmersdale, Appley Bridge, Shevington, Standish and Burscough in the southern area. The flood plains surrounding the River Douglas is land of exceptional quality and drainage has helped farming to flourish. To protect this farmland and the towns that grew around it, some stretches of the river have been straightened as part of flood defence works. Unfortunately this r people and wildlife combination of drainage and flood defence has harmed wildlife. The River Douglas starts on Rivington Lostock have been made enabling people Key successes Moor and finishes at the point where it to enjoy these rivers. A significant area • Footpaths improvements at Lostock meets the River Ribble, just west of where people can enjoy wildlife and take Country Park. Preston. However, the course of the part in other activities such as sailing is at • Footpath improvements at Leyland river has been changed over time. This Wigan Flashes. We take an active part in on the River Lostock. is partly due to sections of the riverbank improving the quality o f the attractions being straightened by works to create at this complex of small lakes. We would • Green Partnerships have supported flood defences to protect property and also like people to improve their own six projects including improvements farmlands. We are now keen to see environment and we offer support at Eccleston St. Marys School and flood defence improvements to the through the Green Partnership Awards. Manor City Gardening Club. riverbanks that are of benefit for This offers advice and money for small wildlife and people. In particular we • Number of fish stocked: environmental improvements. Chub: 24,500. Roach: 26,500. would like to improve the River Yarrow Dace: 16,000. at Chorley, the River Douglas around The rivers within the Douglas area can Parbold Village and the River Lostock. be assets for people to enjoy fishing. Key future actions To achieve the aim o f making it easier for People can appreciate their rivers for • Carry out a survey and produce a fish to swim upstream we have identified recreational uses if there is good access to management plan for Water Voles. them. The current state of poor access to those areas where barriers exist. • Identify and prioritise those stretches the rivers in the Douglas area needs to be These barriers can be removed or o f river to be repaired for wildlife resolved. This makes it difficult for people improved. The full design for the River and recreational use. to enjoy activities such as walking and Yarrow at Croston Weir is now complete canoeing. Access improvements at Lostock and the scheme will be implemented • Improving Croston Weir to allow fish Country Park and at Leyland on the River when money becomes available. to swim upstream of the River Yarrow. C------------------------------------\ We work closely with local councils to we work effectively together to provide Key successes advise on lowering the risks of flooding. an excellent service. • Introduction of new four-code flood However, when flooding does occur we There are two Designated Flood Warning now operate a four-code flood warning warning system. Areas: At Croston 358 properties are system for public benefit. This involves warned directly of the risk of the River • 358 properties in Croston receive the emergency services and local Yarrow flooding. We are currently direct flood warnings. councils to make sure we work reviewing the properties in Wigan that effectively together to provide an will receive a direct flood warning from • Organising annual meetings excellent service. The four-code the River Douglas. and exercises with all support and warning system includes: emergency services so as each It is essential that we have easy access to organisation’s role and responsibility U This is a general early alert to riverbanks to remove the build-up of all properties at risk of flooding. rubbish as this can cause local flooding. is clear in a flood event. We have identified six areas around the Q Designated flood warning areas Key future actions River Douglas that need improved access receive a direct warning by an for this purpose. • Implement development control automated telephone system. We are also concerned about the impact policy to prevent new flood risks Should the situation of the development o f new buildings from being created. deteriorate a severe flood and roads as they can increase the warning is issued. • Identify new access locations, and problems caused by flooding. We have been working with local councils to help agree with landowner, to carry out An ‘All Clear’ is issued reduce the impact of floods on people maintenance to riverbanks to prevent when the threat o f flooding and property by new developments. has passed. flooding. A good example is the flood storage tank The new system involves the emergency that was built as part of the new Asda • Improve rainfall and river services and local councils to make sure store at Robin Park in Wigan. monitoring equipment. V_____________________________________________________/ pollution in ur an areas We feel it is always better to prevent Householders do not only cause this Key successes pollution problems rather than cure problem, businesses can be culprits too. • We have identified 95% o f Metal them. We are always willing to provide Significant examples are the Industrial Recycling Sites within the Douglas advice to householders, businesses and Estates at Bradley Hall, Kirkless and area requiring to be regulated by farms to look after their environment. Moss Side. Wrong connections on these licensing or to be registered as However, we will take a firm and fair industrial estates mean that effluents from exempt from licensing. approach to those who disregard the industrial processes and contaminated law and will prosecute offenders. water will enter the nearby rivers. • Agreement with Transco (part of British Gas) whereby contracts To prevent pollution it is important to A particular problem in the Douglas area awarded by Transco to other use the sewers correctly. One of the most is pollution incidents caused by the companies for pipeline construction common problems, in the built up construction industry. This is because of will specify environmental measures. areas around the River Douglas, is due the high number of building sites in the to people connecting appliances such as area and that builders are not taking steps Key future actions washing machines to the clean water to prevent pollution. • Identify and correct any drainage down pipes rather than the sewer. problems and contamination at This means contaminated water goes Within the Wigan area we have Industrial Estates. directly into streams rather than to the identified 16 Metal Recycling Sites that Wastewater Treatment Works. A similar are causing environmental problems, problem is due to people washing including fly tipping. As a regulator chemicals or oils into drains rather than we aim to make sure that these sites disposing of them correctly. comply with the law. Dealing with... ...pollution from the past As well as dealing with current All of these will produce benefits that Key successes pollution problems we are keen to work will last for years. • Continue monitoring known with local authorities to clean up land minewater problems. Our concern about pollution caused that has suffered pollution from past by past activities also includes the impact • Improve Syd Brook by resolving usage. A good example o f this o f abandoned coal mines. The abandoned problems at Welch Whittle Site. partnership work is being carried out at the Royal Ordnance Site in Euxton, mines at Summersales, Pemberton, Key future actions near Chorley. We have been providing Aspull Sough and Welch W hittle all • Supporting the work of Chorley advice and promoting the installation cause problems. This is because water Borough Council on the regeneration runs through the old mines collecting of water collection systems, techniques of various sites in the Chorley to reduce waste and constructing reed metals that then pollute local rivers area to produce environmental and beds and ponds for drainage systems. and streams. recreational benefits. E n v ir o n m e n t Ag e n c y NATIONAL LIBRARY & INFORMATION SERVICE HEAD OFFICE Rio House, Waterside Drive, Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol BS32 4UD We feel that these improvements The Environment Agency within the Douglas area will If you would like to see a full Annual or John Young, LEAPs Officer at benefit people and wildlife today Review for the Douglas area please PO Box 519, South Preston PR5 8GD and for future generations. contact: Stephen Hemingway Tel: 01 772 339882 LEAPs Team Leader Wfc would like to thank the Central Area Environment Group for their support in the Free 24 hour emergency hotline 0800 80 70 60 production of this document. Floodline 0845 988 1188 NW-0I/0l-3K-Dii BFUK Improving bathing water quality j North West Water Ltd has completed major improvements to the sewerage network and Wastewater Treatment Works but there are still failures to meet European Standards for bathing waters I along the surrounding coast. The main ; contributors in the Douglas area are the Wastewater Treatment Works at Wigan, * Skelmersdale and Hesketh Bank. f Key successes „ • The two combined sewer overflows ^ on Barby Brook culvert have now been abandoned. • The installation o f phosphorus removal plant at Horwich Wastewater Wastewater Treatment Works and the amounts o f weed and algae.