Meadow Lane, Our Flood Plain!
The Syston Community Flood Group raised concerns with their combined authorities contacts earlier in the year about ‘Meadow Lane‘ not being included in the 2024 major de-silt, the authorities lack of funds/manpower/residential property’s along this stretch seems to be their reasoning for Meadow Lane not making the priority list (readers the EA do have a lack of funds, which equals insufficient staff, and sadly that impacts us, again it’s not the individuals who turn up to do the works fault, it’s the system, so be kind)!
But, here’s the ‘but’…..if the blockages already in the watercourse adjacent to Meadow Lane continues to grow, then the road surface drains in the area will also back up if their end destination was the brook and not S/Trents main drainage system (we’re not civil engineers so forgive us if the terminology isn’t correct hopefully you’ll get the idea)!
Here’s quotes taken from recent official correspondence sent to the group “de-silting and other work to improve a river channels ability to increase flow does form an important part of the work to reduce the risk of flooding”…..”flood risk management has to achieve the greatest benefit to people and property” …. (readers, we know Barkby brook is a brook, for the EA purposes we have to call it a river!)
So when taking a stroll down the lane and you and the dogs feet are getting wet, just remember that water came directly from the brook (river) because it’s no where else to go, it can’t make it to the Wreake!
We will continue to stress the urgency of these blockages to the EA as it does affect the wider community, Meadow Lane is important just like the centre of Syston, each needs to be clear to be totally effective!