Sunday, April 20, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Natural England boss on threat to Broads
Natural England boss Martin Doughty spells out the rationale behind plans to abandon coastal defences and allow the Upper Thurne and its broads to be flooded by the sea on The Guardian's website.
The post has already sparked an angry response from those whose homes would be lost if the plans are put into action.
Why not add to them after you've read it..? Click here for more...
The post has already sparked an angry response from those whose homes would be lost if the plans are put into action.
Why not add to them after you've read it..? Click here for more...
Developers eye up Cotswold Water Park
Parts of one of Britain's best-known gravel pit complexes are under threat.
SAA Matters, newsletter of the Specialist Anglers Alliance, warns developers are buying up lakes in the Cotswold Water Park and building holiday homes around them.
"It seems the market cannot get enough of these properties and now there is a queue of developers around the block trying to buy up any piece of available water," writes Tim Marks.
"Any piece of water and the adjacent land in the Cotswold Water Park area is now the subject of developer attention.
"Those fisheries that are on short-term leases are extremely vulnerable. When the times comes for renegotiation, the anglers are simply outbid with the net result that the water is lost to angling."
Waters owned outright by South Cerney AC are safe from falling prey to the log cabin invasion, the piece goes on. But it warns gravel pit complexes in other parts of the country could also fall prey to developers.
SAA Matters, newsletter of the Specialist Anglers Alliance, warns developers are buying up lakes in the Cotswold Water Park and building holiday homes around them.
"It seems the market cannot get enough of these properties and now there is a queue of developers around the block trying to buy up any piece of available water," writes Tim Marks.
"Any piece of water and the adjacent land in the Cotswold Water Park area is now the subject of developer attention.
"Those fisheries that are on short-term leases are extremely vulnerable. When the times comes for renegotiation, the anglers are simply outbid with the net result that the water is lost to angling."
Waters owned outright by South Cerney AC are safe from falling prey to the log cabin invasion, the piece goes on. But it warns gravel pit complexes in other parts of the country could also fall prey to developers.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Army chief joins battle to Save the Broads
Britain's top soldier who has spent a lifetime defending Queen and country today fired a broadside at proposals to allow parts of the Norfolk Broads to be flooded by the sea.
Government conservation group Natural England is behind proposals to abandon coastal defences and allow the North Sea to claim the Upper Thurne and its broads.
If adopted, the plan would spell the end for some of Britain's finest pike fisheries such as Hickling Broad and Horsey Mere.
In an interview with the Eastern Daily Press newspaper today General Sir Richard Dannatt, who is the head of the British Army, said: “I think it would be a tragedy if we allowed that area to be given up and inundated.
“I think to give up a great chunk of Norfolk to the sea without a fight is something I find quite counter-intuitive and quite difficult to do.
“I really think we should continue to invest in the sea defences around there, I think it would be a tragedy to lose a wonderful area of the county by allowing the sea in without a fight. After all, the Dutch manage to achieve this perfectly well so why can't we do this on our side of the North Sea.”
Click here to read the interview.
Click here to sign our online petition.
Government conservation group Natural England is behind proposals to abandon coastal defences and allow the North Sea to claim the Upper Thurne and its broads.
If adopted, the plan would spell the end for some of Britain's finest pike fisheries such as Hickling Broad and Horsey Mere.
In an interview with the Eastern Daily Press newspaper today General Sir Richard Dannatt, who is the head of the British Army, said: “I think it would be a tragedy if we allowed that area to be given up and inundated.
“I think to give up a great chunk of Norfolk to the sea without a fight is something I find quite counter-intuitive and quite difficult to do.
“I really think we should continue to invest in the sea defences around there, I think it would be a tragedy to lose a wonderful area of the county by allowing the sea in without a fight. After all, the Dutch manage to achieve this perfectly well so why can't we do this on our side of the North Sea.”
Click here to read the interview.
Click here to sign our online petition.
Broads Society condemns flooding plan
The government must continue to fund coastal defence projects to prevent the "completely unacceptable" loss of 25 square miles of the Broads to the sea.
That was the plea from the 1600-strong Broads Society today, which said it was "extremely concerned" to learn of proposals being considered by government conservation advisers Natural England to abandon coastal defences and allow the Upper Thurne and its broads to flood.
It came as the PAC's online Save the Broads petition, on Prime Minister Gordon Brown's 10 Downing Street website, clocked up more then 1200 signatures.
Click here to read more on the Broads Society's response.
Click here to read today's Great Yarmouth Mercury story on the latest.
Click here to sign our online petition.
That was the plea from the 1600-strong Broads Society today, which said it was "extremely concerned" to learn of proposals being considered by government conservation advisers Natural England to abandon coastal defences and allow the Upper Thurne and its broads to flood.
It came as the PAC's online Save the Broads petition, on Prime Minister Gordon Brown's 10 Downing Street website, clocked up more then 1200 signatures.
Click here to read more on the Broads Society's response.
Click here to read today's Great Yarmouth Mercury story on the latest.
Click here to sign our online petition.
Don't swim in't cut Gladys - tha'll get eaten
A monster pike is prowling a canal on the outskirts of Rochdale, Lancs, the Middleton Guardian reports today.
Click here for story.
Click here for story.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Save the Broads - another option..?
A new option to save the Upper Thurne and its broads has been proposed by the influential Broads Society.
It says plans to abandon coastal defences and allow an eighth of the total area of the Norfolk broads to be flooded by the sea are "completely unacceptable".
It is calling for a new line of sea defences to be established to protect vital freshwater habitats, including some of our finest pike fisheries.
Click here to read a BBC report.
It says plans to abandon coastal defences and allow an eighth of the total area of the Norfolk broads to be flooded by the sea are "completely unacceptable".
It is calling for a new line of sea defences to be established to protect vital freshwater habitats, including some of our finest pike fisheries.
Click here to read a BBC report.
BBC reports on Fen flood barrier
Ten days after the PAC revealed an entrepreneur's proposals to build a barrage across The Wash to protect the Fens from flooding, the BBC reports on the story. Conservation groups claim the plan to protect thousands of low-lying homes from rising sea levels is a non-starter. Click here for more.
Click here for our original report revealing details of the plan.
Click here for our original report revealing details of the plan.
Save the Broads - questions answered
Today's Eastern Daily Press has a useful piece on Q&As regarding the threat to the Upper Thurne and its broads.
Click here to read it.
It comes as the PAC's online Save the Broads petition on Gordon Brown's 10 Downing Street website tops 1100 signatures, including East Anglian Euro MP Tom Wise.
The club is tonight trying to contact Mr Wise to ask his to raise our concerns in the European Parliament.
Click here to sign up.
Click here to read it.
It comes as the PAC's online Save the Broads petition on Gordon Brown's 10 Downing Street website tops 1100 signatures, including East Anglian Euro MP Tom Wise.
The club is tonight trying to contact Mr Wise to ask his to raise our concerns in the European Parliament.
Click here to sign up.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Save the Broads petition nudges 1000
Nearly 1000 people have signed up the Pike Anglers Club's online petition to Save the Broads.
Click here to join them.
Click here to join them.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Windermere speed protest bid fails
A power boating campaigner fighting to overturn the 10mph speed limit on Lake Windermere faces trial.
Kevan Furber, of the Keep Windermere Alive Association, deliberately broke the limit when he pulled blind waterskiing champion Gerald Price, 74, on the lake last July.
Mr Furber, from Manchester, wants to challenge the Lake District National Park Authority's ruling, introduced in 2005.
Click here for more.
Kevan Furber, of the Keep Windermere Alive Association, deliberately broke the limit when he pulled blind waterskiing champion Gerald Price, 74, on the lake last July.
Mr Furber, from Manchester, wants to challenge the Lake District National Park Authority's ruling, introduced in 2005.
Click here for more.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Why so defeatist, asks the Independent
A trenchant piece in the Independent asks why are government agencies so defeatist over the threat to the Broads. Click here to read it.
It comes as the PAC's online petition to Save the Broads nears 1,000 signatures. Click here to sign it.
It comes as the PAC's online petition to Save the Broads nears 1,000 signatures. Click here to sign it.
Eel be online now....
Britain's oldest specialist group has gone bang up to date with the launch of a new website.
Click here to see the latest offering from the National Anguilla Club, which was launched in 1962 - 15 years before the PAC.
Check out their stand at Piking 2008 in September.
Click here to see the latest offering from the National Anguilla Club, which was launched in 1962 - 15 years before the PAC.
Check out their stand at Piking 2008 in September.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Time for public debate on the Broads - MP
Government bodies behind proposals to allow some of Britain's finest pike fisheries to be flooded by the sea have been challenged to come clean about their plans and take part in a public debate.
The call came from North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb, at a public meeting attended by more than 400 people, in a village which would be lost under the plan.
Speaking at Potter Heigham VIllage hall, Mr Lamb said those behind plans to abandon coastal defences should "engage directly with the public".
He added: "It's absolutely essential that there should be a proper discussion."
Conservation agency Natural England believes allowing the sea to breach defences on the Norfolk coast would "send out the right message" about the severity of climate change.
But the move would mean Hickling Broad, Horsey Mere, the Martham Broads, Heigham Sound and the Upper Thurne would be lost to the sea.
Six villages, thousands of hectares of farmland and around an eighth of the entire area of the Broads would also disappear.
More than 800 people have now signed the PAC's petition to Save the Broads.
Click here for reports on last night's public meeting.
Click here to sign the petition.
The call came from North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb, at a public meeting attended by more than 400 people, in a village which would be lost under the plan.
Speaking at Potter Heigham VIllage hall, Mr Lamb said those behind plans to abandon coastal defences should "engage directly with the public".
He added: "It's absolutely essential that there should be a proper discussion."
Conservation agency Natural England believes allowing the sea to breach defences on the Norfolk coast would "send out the right message" about the severity of climate change.
But the move would mean Hickling Broad, Horsey Mere, the Martham Broads, Heigham Sound and the Upper Thurne would be lost to the sea.
Six villages, thousands of hectares of farmland and around an eighth of the entire area of the Broads would also disappear.
More than 800 people have now signed the PAC's petition to Save the Broads.
Click here for reports on last night's public meeting.
Click here to sign the petition.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Club tightens bylaws to deter fish killers
King's Lynn Angling Association, the biggest club in the Fens, today revealed bylaw changes in a bid to tackle fish being removed in numbers for food.
It's changed its bylaws to make it clear no fish are to removed from the waters it controls, which include parts of the Great Ouse, River Wissey, Little Ouse, Middle Level Drain, Cut Off Channel and Relief Channel.
The wording on permits and day tickets has been changed, while signs have been put up at club venues.
Officials believe the move allows a private prosecution to be taken out against anyone caught removing fish. It comes after fish were removed in numbers from Lynn AA waters.
Livebaiting is still allowed, provided they are used on the water where they have been caught.
It's changed its bylaws to make it clear no fish are to removed from the waters it controls, which include parts of the Great Ouse, River Wissey, Little Ouse, Middle Level Drain, Cut Off Channel and Relief Channel.
The wording on permits and day tickets has been changed, while signs have been put up at club venues.
Officials believe the move allows a private prosecution to be taken out against anyone caught removing fish. It comes after fish were removed in numbers from Lynn AA waters.
Livebaiting is still allowed, provided they are used on the water where they have been caught.
Save The Broads petition tops 700
As villagers gathered for the first public meeting about plans to abandon coastal defences and allow the Upper Thurne and its broads to be flooded by the sea, the PAC's online petition to save them topped 700 signatures.
Click here to join them.
Click here to join them.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Indie reports on Save the Broads petition
The Independent newspaper suggests building a barrier of pike floats to save the Broads, in a slightly whimsical reference to the PAC's online petition.
Click here to see the report, in which the paper's angling correspondent recalls days spent afloat with the late Richard Furlong - and click here to join the 700 or so people who have now signed up.
Click here to see the report, in which the paper's angling correspondent recalls days spent afloat with the late Richard Furlong - and click here to join the 700 or so people who have now signed up.
Barrier proposed to protect the Fens
A barrage could be built across The Wash to protect the Fens from flooding, it emerged today.
The Wash Tidal Barrier Corporation is bidding to build a new sea defence barrier between Hunstanton, in Nofolk and Skegness, in Lincolnshire, in a bid to protect low-lying areas from the growing threat of storm surges.
The announcement came as Norfolk County Council pledged to fight for Government funding to protect the Upper Thurne and its broads.
Much of the Fens between King's Lynn and Ely are lower than sea level. Hundreds of thousands of homes are protcted by a network of man-made drains and rivers, many of them higher than the surrounding land.
A new pumping station is being built on the Middle Level Drain at St Germans to cope with rising sea levels and changing weather patterns.
Today the Barrier Corporation said: "Sea level rise and climate change are major threats to the Wash coast and fenland environment.
"Sea level is predicted to rise by at least one metre by 2100 and sea temperatures, already 1°C higher, are increasing by 0.4°C each decade. Storm surges sufficient to overwhelm the Wash coastal defences are becoming ever more likely.
The Wash Tidal Barrier Corporation is bidding to build a new sea defence barrier between Hunstanton, in Nofolk and Skegness, in Lincolnshire, in a bid to protect low-lying areas from the growing threat of storm surges.
The announcement came as Norfolk County Council pledged to fight for Government funding to protect the Upper Thurne and its broads.
Much of the Fens between King's Lynn and Ely are lower than sea level. Hundreds of thousands of homes are protcted by a network of man-made drains and rivers, many of them higher than the surrounding land.
A new pumping station is being built on the Middle Level Drain at St Germans to cope with rising sea levels and changing weather patterns.
Today the Barrier Corporation said: "Sea level rise and climate change are major threats to the Wash coast and fenland environment.
"Sea level is predicted to rise by at least one metre by 2100 and sea temperatures, already 1°C higher, are increasing by 0.4°C each decade. Storm surges sufficient to overwhelm the Wash coastal defences are becoming ever more likely.
"Raising the height of existing coastal defences would not only be prohibitively expensive, but also have a major impact on marginal habitats such as salt marsh, inter-tidal mudflats and sandbanks.
"A tidal barrier across the Wash will provide us with the opportunity to manage the tide height and range within the Wash. The Barrier also offers a number of additional benefits – in particular, the generation of a large and reliable amount of green electricity and flood protection for more than 500,000 people, 300,000 hectares of grade 1 agricultural land and billions of pounds’ worth of assets."
For more on the Wash barrier proposals, click here.
We'll fight for the Broads, pledges council
Norfolk County Council today pledged it would fight for Government funding to protect the Broads from flooding.
Natural England and the Broads Authority have discussed plans to abandon coastal defences and allow the Upper Thurne and its legendary pike fisheries to be flooded by the sea.
The move would mean the end for Horsey Mere, Hickling Broad, Heigham Sound and the Martham broads - along with six coastal villages, internationally-important nature reserves and thousands of hectares of farmland.
Nearly 700 people have signed an online petition launched by the Pike Anglers Club, on Gordon Brown's 10 Downing Street website, to save the Broads. Click here to join them.
Today Ian Monson, Norfolk County Council's cabinet member for the environment, said the authority would press the case that the land is worth defending on social, economic and environmental grounds. Click here for more.
Natural England and the Broads Authority have discussed plans to abandon coastal defences and allow the Upper Thurne and its legendary pike fisheries to be flooded by the sea.
The move would mean the end for Horsey Mere, Hickling Broad, Heigham Sound and the Martham broads - along with six coastal villages, internationally-important nature reserves and thousands of hectares of farmland.
Nearly 700 people have signed an online petition launched by the Pike Anglers Club, on Gordon Brown's 10 Downing Street website, to save the Broads. Click here to join them.
Today Ian Monson, Norfolk County Council's cabinet member for the environment, said the authority would press the case that the land is worth defending on social, economic and environmental grounds. Click here for more.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Public meetings over threat to Broads
Public meetings are being held in villages threatened by plans to abandon sea defences.
Some of Britain's finest pike fisheries would also be lost if proposals to allow the sea to flood the Upper Thurne and its broads get the go-ahead.
Tonight the Coastal Concern Action group said: "In view of the confusion, fear and adverse effect on property caused by the recent proposals by Natural England which seek to allow the sea to take over some 25square miles of the upper Thurne region and the consequential loss of six villages CCAG has arranged a short series of public meetings in the affected area.
The meeting locations and times are as follows:
* Tuesday 8th April Hickling Community Hall at 7:30pm
* Wednesday 9th April Potter Heigham Village Hall at 7:30pm
* Tuesday 15th April Sea Palling Village Hall at 7:30pm
Norman Lamb MP will attend each of the meetings. CCAG's Malcolm Kerby has called these meetings to give the people a voice that their views may be carried to the very heart of Government."
Nearly 600 people have signed an online petition against the plans launched by the Pike Anglers Club. Click here to join them.
Some of Britain's finest pike fisheries would also be lost if proposals to allow the sea to flood the Upper Thurne and its broads get the go-ahead.
Tonight the Coastal Concern Action group said: "In view of the confusion, fear and adverse effect on property caused by the recent proposals by Natural England which seek to allow the sea to take over some 25square miles of the upper Thurne region and the consequential loss of six villages CCAG has arranged a short series of public meetings in the affected area.
The meeting locations and times are as follows:
* Tuesday 8th April Hickling Community Hall at 7:30pm
* Wednesday 9th April Potter Heigham Village Hall at 7:30pm
* Tuesday 15th April Sea Palling Village Hall at 7:30pm
Norman Lamb MP will attend each of the meetings. CCAG's Malcolm Kerby has called these meetings to give the people a voice that their views may be carried to the very heart of Government."
Nearly 600 people have signed an online petition against the plans launched by the Pike Anglers Club. Click here to join them.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
PAC 'stunned' by minister's response
Pike anglers are stunned by the Government's refusal to back their campaign to save the Norfolk Broads.
The issue surfaced in Parliament during Prime Minister's Questions today (Weds), when North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb asked whether sea defences protecting the Upper Thurne and its broads would be safeguarded.
Plans to abandon defences have been proposed at a meeting between Natural England, the Broads Authority and the Environment Agency.
If put into action, the so-called managed retreat would lead to Hickling Broad, Horsey Mere, the Martham Broads and Heigham Sound being flooded by the sea.
Documents leaked to the Pike Anglers Club say the move would send out "the right message" about the impact of climate change on our coastline.
But the 2500-strong club has pledged to fight to save what it calls some of Britain's most historically-important pike fisheries.
Mr Lamb asked for assurances that sea defences between Eccles and Winterton would continue to be maintained.
But Commons Leader Harriet Harman, sitting in for Prime Minister Gordon Brown, said ministers would work to ensure "the right way forward".
Mr Lamb said he was "disappointed" at the response. Six villages, thousands of hectares of farmland and internationally-important nature reserves are also at risk.
Mr Lamb, who said he was disappointed at the response, is calling for Environment Minister Hilary Benn to visit Norfolk to see for himself the area which would be affected by the plan.
The Pike Anglers Club said: "We are stuuned. We share Mr Lamb's disappointment at the lack of assurances from the Government that the Broads will continue to be protected.
"We are talking about a cost of around £1.5m a year to maintain sea defences which protect thousands of homes, let alone some of our finest pike fisheries.
"It is unthinkable that all this could be lost to "send out the right message" about climate change" and save what is a relatively small amount in the scheme of things."
More than 500 people have signed an online petition on Gordon Brown's 10 Downing Street website to Save the Broads.
Click here to join them.
The issue surfaced in Parliament during Prime Minister's Questions today (Weds), when North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb asked whether sea defences protecting the Upper Thurne and its broads would be safeguarded.
Plans to abandon defences have been proposed at a meeting between Natural England, the Broads Authority and the Environment Agency.
If put into action, the so-called managed retreat would lead to Hickling Broad, Horsey Mere, the Martham Broads and Heigham Sound being flooded by the sea.
Documents leaked to the Pike Anglers Club say the move would send out "the right message" about the impact of climate change on our coastline.
But the 2500-strong club has pledged to fight to save what it calls some of Britain's most historically-important pike fisheries.
Mr Lamb asked for assurances that sea defences between Eccles and Winterton would continue to be maintained.
But Commons Leader Harriet Harman, sitting in for Prime Minister Gordon Brown, said ministers would work to ensure "the right way forward".
Mr Lamb said he was "disappointed" at the response. Six villages, thousands of hectares of farmland and internationally-important nature reserves are also at risk.
Mr Lamb, who said he was disappointed at the response, is calling for Environment Minister Hilary Benn to visit Norfolk to see for himself the area which would be affected by the plan.
The Pike Anglers Club said: "We are stuuned. We share Mr Lamb's disappointment at the lack of assurances from the Government that the Broads will continue to be protected.
"We are talking about a cost of around £1.5m a year to maintain sea defences which protect thousands of homes, let alone some of our finest pike fisheries.
"It is unthinkable that all this could be lost to "send out the right message" about climate change" and save what is a relatively small amount in the scheme of things."
More than 500 people have signed an online petition on Gordon Brown's 10 Downing Street website to Save the Broads.
Click here to join them.
Save the Broads raised in Parliament
An MP today asked the Government for assurances it would continue funding sea defences which protect the Norfolk Broads.
But Liberal Democrat Norman Lamb said he was disappointed by its response to a parliamentary question.
The North Norfolk MP raised the issue during Prime Minister's Questions, which was taken by Commons Leader Harriet Harman.
He asked for assurances that defences protecting the Upper Thurne and its Broads would be maintained.
Last week, it emerged proposals to abandon defences had been discussed by Natural England, the Broads Authority and the Environment Agency.
If put into action, the plan would mean Hickling Broad, Horsey Mere, Heigham Sound and the Martham broads would be flooded by the sea.
The Pike Anglers Club has launched a campaign what it describes as some of Britain's most historically-important pike fisheries.
Six villages and thousands of hectares of farmland would also be lost under the proposals.
But Ms Harman stopped short of giving any assurances. Instead, she said ministers were working to ensure "the right way forward".
Documents leaked to the Pike Anglers Club say abandoning the Upper Thurne would send out "the right message" about the severity of climate change and its impact on our coastline.
Mr Lamb, who said he was disappointed at the response, is calling for Environment Minister Hilary Benn to visit Norfolk to see for himself the area which would be affected by the plan.
Nearly 600 people have signed a petition calling for defences to be maintained. Click here to join them.
But Liberal Democrat Norman Lamb said he was disappointed by its response to a parliamentary question.
The North Norfolk MP raised the issue during Prime Minister's Questions, which was taken by Commons Leader Harriet Harman.
He asked for assurances that defences protecting the Upper Thurne and its Broads would be maintained.
Last week, it emerged proposals to abandon defences had been discussed by Natural England, the Broads Authority and the Environment Agency.
If put into action, the plan would mean Hickling Broad, Horsey Mere, Heigham Sound and the Martham broads would be flooded by the sea.
The Pike Anglers Club has launched a campaign what it describes as some of Britain's most historically-important pike fisheries.
Six villages and thousands of hectares of farmland would also be lost under the proposals.
But Ms Harman stopped short of giving any assurances. Instead, she said ministers were working to ensure "the right way forward".
Documents leaked to the Pike Anglers Club say abandoning the Upper Thurne would send out "the right message" about the severity of climate change and its impact on our coastline.
Mr Lamb, who said he was disappointed at the response, is calling for Environment Minister Hilary Benn to visit Norfolk to see for himself the area which would be affected by the plan.
Nearly 600 people have signed a petition calling for defences to be maintained. Click here to join them.
Save the Broads petition tops 500
More than 500 people have now signed the PAC's online petition against proposals to abandon coastal defences and allow the Upper Thurne and its broads to be flooded by the sea.
Click here to join them.
Click here to join them.
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