River Dour management plan to reduce flood risk in Dover

The Environment Agency will soon be carrying out new maintenance activities to improve the River Dour and help reduce the risk of flooding in the Dover area.

This year's work will be the first of what will become an annual programme of maintenance work, the Dour Management Plan, which was developed after a number of studies and investigations into the river. The plan sets out a sustainable maintenance programme which ensures that water flows freely through the channel, reducing the flood risk to people and properties without affecting the wildlife in and around the river.

The River Dour is fed by groundwater and responds very quickly to rainfall. To help high river flows and surface water escape quickly and avoid flooding properties, it is important that the river has as few obstructions as possible. The scheduled maintenance activities will include: reducing vegetation within the channel; cutting back overhanging tree branches and removing vegetation growth from buildings, walls, and foundations along the channel; and removing or reducing the size of the man made islands where necessary.

Ian Nunn, Environment Agency Operations Manager, said: "We are pleased to be able to carry out this important work on the River Dour which will help reduce flood risk in the area.

"Riverside landowners and other local residents can help us to keep flood risk as low as possible by ensuring you dispose of your garden waste responsibly and keeping banks clear - anything on them could be carried off by high flows and block the channel, culverts or bridges, causing flooding to properties.

"You can report any blockages in the river using our incident management helpline 0800 807060 and please remember that if you are thinking about developing the land next to the river, you'll need to contact the Environment Agency to request consent."

The work begins on Monday 8 October and is expected to be completed within five weeks.