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.
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.
Yes- I looked at it on Sunday, if that’s what it looks like AFTER it’s beem cleared, it must have been bad before!
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.