Notice

Environment Agency: notice of Barmby Barrage short-term trials proposal

Published 9 March 2016

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2016

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environment-agency-notice-of-proposal/environment-agency-notice-of-proposal

Details of the proposal

The Environment Agency is giving notice of this proposal (in accordance with the Water Resources Act 1991 as amended by the Water Act 2003) for Barmby Tidal Order.

Notice is hereby given that further to the trial that occurred on 11 April 2013, the Environment Agency in co-operation with Yorkshire Water, Natural England and the Open University is going to operate some further short term trials on the operation of the Barmby Barrage on the River Derwent over the next 5 years. The notice will last for this period.

The trial will be designed to help us understand the impact of the barrage on the hydrology of the lower Derwent and to help the protection and enhancement of the grasses of the flood plain meadow, whilst safeguarding the wider nature conservation interests.

The intention is, when flows in the river Derwent are:

  • 24 cubic metres per second (cumecs)

  • 20 cumecs

  • 16 cumecs

As measured by the Environment Agency’s gauging station on the Derwent at Buttercrambe and when there is standing water on the Meadows we will:

  • open the gates at Barmby Barrage such that the Derwent level is allowed to follow the Ouse level to its minimum at low tide

  • closing the gates on the rising tide to avoid Ouse water flowing back in

  • this will be over a half tidal cycle (once over 1 day)

  • repeat this opening and closing regime over different flow bands, on different days

  • we will gather data from recorders at Bubwith, Elvington, East Cottingwith, Loftsome Bridge and Barmby Barrage

Based on the response to these trial events, new management guidelines could be drawn up to protect the meadows against the prolonged water logging events that are currently threatening the future of the traditional plant and wildlife communities, for which they are designated under the European Habitats Directive.

Licensed abstractors on the affected river reach have been notified.

How to view the proposal

You can view the proposal and supporting documents, during normal office hours at:

Barmby Barrage
Barmby on the Marsh
Goole
DN14 7HX

You can view a summary of the proposal, during normal office hours, on the Public Register at the address above.

How to comment on the proposal

Send any representation about this proposal in writing to:

Karen Wooster
Environment Agency
Lateral
8 City Walk, Leeds
LS11 9AT

Or by email to karen.wooster@environment-agency.gov.uk

For advice about how to make a representation call 03708 506 506.

For general enquiries about this notice call 0203 256 808.

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