Time Flies!

Wow, where does time go it’s certainly flown by this year so far, we remember how it always seemed to pass much slower as a child!
What’s been the main topic of conversation, go on, have a guess, you give up, you know it, yes (no prizes though) who is doing what and WHEN in the Barkby Brook’?! Answer, the Environment Agency (likely a sub contractor) are removing the blockages (de-silting) in agreement with the Borough and County Councils (RMA’s), but everything’s been crossed for so long to see the WHEN our circulation is in danger of being cut off! We really hoped the blockages would’ve ‘finally‘ been removed before you read this (have they), things change sometimes after we’ve met the papers deadline, so between us and the Syston Community Flood Group we’ll be getting as much information out to you as soon as possible (though when the brooks actually cleared we’ll be having a party to celebrate, but shush, don’t tell the neighbours). Its been a long hard slog getting ‘authorities’ to communicate (with us and even each other at times) there was, possibly still is, other areas in Leicestershire that needs their attention (so understandably their officers are a tad busy), but rest assured we’ll continue chasing for updates on any work and share them.
Nearly there, you can put the kettle back on in a minute. Another shout out to ‘Syston Community Flood Group’ (SCFG) who continue to ‘raise awareness’ and are now on Facebook (appreciate some positive feedback or a like/share if you’ve time) you can still contact the group on systonfloodgroup@gmail.com if preferred.
Nearly there again, but not quite, and in the ‘opinion‘ of so so many Syston residents you talk to, our own town councils inability to show ‘empathy‘ (yes empathy) has been really hard to get your head around, we acknowledge that like affected residents, they have been totally out of their depth at times, ‘everyone, including us gets that’, but no one knew what to do or where to go in an emergency did they, affected resident’s needed help in any way, shape or form, and turned to ‘their council first’, sadly the ‘not our responsibility’ on loop is what they got, and that will be a talking point long after the brook is cleared (positive communication is key, let’s hope for residents and their town council it changes for the better)!
Here’s to a dryer winter folks, but remember 20 years of little or no adequate maintenance in the Barkby Brook (neglect by authorities) got us in this mess, so once the watercourse is cleared, don’t let ‘Barkby Brook and the Town of Syston’ be forgotten again!! Oh, and many thanks for readers feedback, our original intention was just to have a one off rant about our own very ‘unpleasant experience with you know who’ – just for trying to do positive things, and asking awkward questions for those who’d been affected back in January.
If you can be anything people – please be kind! ?
M & K
Concerned Residents