A COW near Sweyne Park

March

23

by admin // in Rayleigh

4 comments

If you ever go along Downhall Park Way in Rayleigh you will see that there is a ditch that flows past Canterbury Close into Sweyne Park. Sadly it is getting overgrown with vegetation, and in the long term that means one thing – flooding.

This ditch is actually classed as a COW – Critical Ordinary Watercourse – which means it is the responsibility of the Environment Agent to maintain it. Some residents have contacted Chris Black because nothing seemed to be happening – he has spoken to the Environment Agency , and although the team leader in charge was out today, hopefully this will be sorted out soon.

If you are ever buying a property near a ditch always check to see if it is a COW – because if it isn’t, you may be responsible as the ‘riparian owner’ for keeping it clear.

About the author, admin

  • The COW seems to be getting overgrown due to the fact that houses backing onto it seem to use it as a dumping ground for grass cuttings and other garden rubbish!!

  • Are we talking about the water that runs behind Ely Way, then along between Ely Way and Canterbury Close and finally under Downhall Park Way into the park?

    I noticed a couple of weeks ago that this had been cleared out. They hadn’t cleared the banks, but the water-course had been cleared.

  • It was pretty bad before.

    They seem to have achieved a tunnel effect, clearing the water course but leaving all the vegetation on the banks. When they have cleared it in the past, they cut all the banks back as well.

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