CLA North statement on continued funding of land drainage pumping stations in Lancashire and Cumbria.



In late September the Environment Agency (EA) announced its continuation of funding the operation of land drainage pumping stations in three areas of Lancashire and Cumbria – in the Alt Crossens, the Lyth Valley and the Waver Wampool.

The EA intends to continue funding the pumping stations until communities have all options for an alternative solution open to them for consideration. The EA’s initial plans to withdraw from operating land drainage pumping stations was in line with their policy to prioritise reducing flooding risk to people and property, rather than the drainage of agricultural land. The CLA have always been supportive of the EA’s withdrawal, on condition that a new Water Level Management Board can be set up to continue the drainage of agricultural land currently undertaken by the EA.

At the end of 2016, Defra confirmed that there is difficulty within the Land Drainage Act 1991 to create a Water Level Management Board, but is working with partners and stakeholders in considering potential amendments to the legislation. For the interim, both Defra and the EA are working together in trying to resolve these issues with a view to update those affected by the winter.

CLA North Rural Surveyor Robert Frewen said: “The continued operation of the pumping stations is encouraging, but farmers and landowners would still need greater certainty as to the options for an ‘alternative solution’ as suggested by the EA. We’ve been working with farmers, landowners, the EA, NFU and utility companies to establish Water Level Management Boards, but this has been particularly slow in the case of Alt Crossens, where the support of the local authority will be critical.”

“We have great support from the farming community, but legally, it will require primary legislation to amend the Land Drainage Act 1991. Chances of this happening soon are limited given that Parliamentary time is taken up by issues such as Brexit. We have lobbied, and will continue lobbying MPs to ensure this issue stays on the agenda until a change in legislation paves the way for the creation of a Water Level Management Board, where both the farming community and the local authority contribute their fair share of the costs of drainage.”

“Along with the NFU, the CLA is calling on the EA to have the withdrawal notices rescinded. At the moment, it creates uncertainty which hampers investment decisions, and has a negative impact on farm land in the area. We are continuing to work constructively with the EA, and are hoping that more clarity will be forthcoming from them in the near future. Future support and funding to keep the pumps operational is crucial to the viability of this important agricultural land.”

Notes on Alt Crossens

· The Alt Crossens consist of around 30,000 acres of land and is the only substantial area of grade one farmland without a Water Level Management Board in place.

A CLA delegation, fronted by President Ross Murray, visited Ribble Hall Farm in Hesketh Bank, Preston last week to discuss issues related to the establishment of a Water Level Management Board to deal with water level management in the area. Main issues related to the management of drainage by the Environment Agency, and the management of water levels which, if not undertaken properly, will render the land unsuitable for agricultural purposes. Poor drainage in this area also highlights a potential flooding risk, affecting around 6,000 homes.

Ross Murray commented: “We are always looking for constructive and workable solutions to address risks associated with poor drainage, and we will encourage West Lancashire Borough Council, as well as the Environment Agency to pull out all the stops to set up a workable Water Level Management Board. Elsewhere in the country established Boards are working very well, and better than expected by all parties involved.”

Simon Waller, CLA Branch Chairman for Lancashire said, “It was very constructive for Ross to visit the area as it provides him with a snapshot of real-life issues affecting rural businesses and farms locally which will be fed into the CLA’s national efforts to lobby both central and local government, along with its various agencies. There is life outside of Brexit, and for us, it is key to focus on our daily ‘bread and butter’ issues.”