Couldnt find the thread that had all the rubbish pics on so sorry starting a new thread on existing subject.
1.Rubbish in River Dour
I took the matter up with DDC Director of Environment on Monday as not only the rubbish but by the Bench Street Grilles dumped TV set and black plastic sacks that could be "fly-tipping".
I walked from Ladywell to Bench Street Grilles last night/ this morning and am delighted to see all of the rubbish uncluding the "fly-tipping" at Bench Street Grilles has been removed.The problem at Bench Street Grilles is that the river is channelled and fast running and requires a specialist team/equipment.
I always find the Environment people at DDC a great help when you contact them SO A BIG THANKS TO DDC FOR TAKING THE ACTION.
On the previous thread there was a doubt as to responsibility of cleaning the Dour
The Director of Environment has kindly forwarded me details as below:
The river Dour cleaning is contracted by DDC as under:
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 of the Barton Path
5) Whole length from where Park Place joins Ladywell to Castle Street
6) and Dolphin House to Bench Street Grilles.
All areas are treated as Zone 2b and are to be maintained to the standards of cleanliness and times for restoring to a clean state 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 6 hours
The other problem, as has been mentioned by many in the past, is the excessive growth of weed in the river. A certain level is required to maintain the biodiversity but talking to the EA I gain the impression that the river Dour does not require the level of weed that exists. The weed caused rubbish to sit on top and become an eysore.
I shall continue my dialogue with EA to see if they can do a weed thinning exercise.
2. Illegal Fishing
Had a constructive meeting with PC Tuthill and PCSO Jacqui Brook who are aware of the situation but did not realise the removal and slaughter was going on. They will ensure some additional watch on the area...interesting that last couple of days not seen so many keen anglers on the river.
I am sure as boys many of us have used a piece of string with a hook but some of the equipment being used was pretty high-tec.
Hope the above is of use to Forum Members. We all want our town to be a cleaner and better place to live in and only by close working with the organisations involved can we aspire to those objectives.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
thanks for that informative post pat, just one thing though.
the white cliffs countryside partnership volunteers were in the river yesterday and removed 56 bags of rubbish, that is why it looks better today.
Howard
Thanks for that info
So a BIG THANKS to White Cliffs people.
But we all need to keep on top of the rubbish problem hence the above contract conditions.
As we are all aware Contract Conditions are difficult to monitor and must rely on the public advising the Authorities when these are not being delivered.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,803
I noticed there was a little rubbish by Morrisons already but the river looks so much better, also looks like some weed has gone.
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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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Just had e-mail from DDC that the action was a joint approach with Whitecliffs Countryside,EA and Veolia
So EA did some weed clearing
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
Thanks Pat, and yes, that's right. We had 17 volunteers yesterday and we cleared Barton Path, Buckland Bridge, Bowling Green, Morrisons and Pencester. Veolia collected the rubbish and provided refuse sacks. I don't know about the EA clearing weed though, nonetheless the weed by the bowling green is absolutely perfect for trout and eels. So enough of this 'no one cares', it simply isn't true!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
caring is one thing action is another, we have all noted the contractual obligations in pat's post, we will follow avidly to see that they are carried out.
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
Re the illegasl fishing, I've got a permit to fish the Waters of Leith in Edinburgh from any public areas.
It's similar to The Dour in that it runs only from the edge of built up areas to the docks but is twice as long, and contains several species of fish including trout and grayling that the permit covers. There are signs at every access point to the river that a permit is need and how to get one.
The permit shows the times, limits, methods etc that are permitted, has to be obtained before you start fishing, must be carried when fishing and must produced on request to any Honorary Bailiff, Police Officer or Fisheries Officer, or it's a fine.
It's issued by the Parks Dept of Edinburgh Council, and folks . . . it's free.
What a contrast to Dover, and what a contrast the river is to Dover. On several visits we have hardly seen any litter or discarded tackle because you have over 1000 fishermen who care for their privilige and keep an eye on things.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
a couple of litter free stretches of the river after the volunteers had done their work.
TheThinWhiteDuke- Registered: 7 Jul 2016
- Posts: 345
Does anyone know what has happened to the bridge railings on the Morrisons side of Bridge Street (apart from the fact they've gone missing)?
They seemed pretty sturdy and in good nick to me. In way better condition than the railings at the Beaconsfield end of Barton Path (which have been fenced over for yonks).
Have they been stolen? Or, is this a council/river agency thing? Possibly worth more in scrap than the replacement costs? (I do trust they are going to be replaced. Or they'll higher the wall or something).
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,803
A couple of days ago I saw a picture on FB of some workmen removing them in the dark, the only pertinent comment was the similarity to the demise of Brooke House, unfortunately no actual facts.
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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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Karlos- Location: Dover
- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 2,482
I think there was something on the DDC weekly planning lists the other week.