Flood embankment news

We were very disappointed to learn last week that the money allocated by the Environment Agency last year for the construction of a new flood embankment for Burton Joyce has now been allocated elsewhere.

As reported on this web-site last May, the Environment Agency had met unexpected problems with the provision of this flood embankment and that the project was likely to be far more expensive than originally anticipated.  At that time, however, we were assured that the flood embankment would go ahead nevertheless.

We are now making inquiries about this matter and seeking confirmation that funding will be made available to provide flood defences for the village in the future.

Footpaths and bridleways in Burton Joyce and Bulcote

Earlier this year we undertook a survey of the 12 footpaths and 9 bridleways in Burton Joyce and Bulcote, subsequently sending a list of suggested repairs and signing improvements to Notts County Council.  We have now had a response from the Rights of Way officer saying that she hopes to be able to address the signposting and waymarking issues when she compiles a signposting contract later on during this financial year. She will also look at the one footpath we reported as in poor condition in due course.

Our claim for the reinstatement of an old footpath, which had not been shown on the definitive rights of way map, made as a result of a previous footpath study in 2004 has been accepted by the County Council and agreed by the Inspector at a public inquiry.  It will be reinstated as soon as funds are available. This will provide a route from the Trent at the point where the Cocker Beck enters the river at the junction of Bulcote and Gunthorpe parishes to the A 6097 at Lowdham Leisure World, passing the fishing lakes.  This will be an alternative and hopefully attractive route into Gunthorpe by public footpath and will be particularly useful when high water makes it impossible to use the other public footpath which passes under Gunthorpe bridge.

Our thanks to Nottinghamshire County Council and local landowners who generally keep the footpaths and bridleways in a good condition and to the County Council for taking our reports on board.