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Police and environmental agency staff have mobilized to prevent further damage to a protected river, after what a witness described as one of the most egregious acts of ecological vandalism in 25 years.
A mile-long stretch of the River Lugg on the outskirts of Kingsland, near Leominster in Herefordshire, has been crushed by a bulldozer. Trees have been cut down, the river has been straightened and the river bed has been damaged.
Guy Linley-Adams, an attorney for the nearby Salmon and Trout Conservation charity, witnessed the destruction of the river, which is protected as a SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest.
He called for the prosecution of those responsible. “This is one of the most egregious acts of environmental vandalism I have seen in 25 years of working on rivers in the UK,” he said. “I was at the site and I am shaking with rage at what they have done to my local river.
“There can be no excuse if the perpetrator is not now prosecuted to the fullest extent possible. Its financial assets should also be used to pay for the restoration of the river, a restoration that will take decades.
Staff from the Environment Agency, West Mercia police, Natural England officials and the Forestry Commission mobilized to stop further damage on Friday.
Dave Throup, Area Environment Manager for the Environment Agency (EA), said: “We are taking this very seriously together with Natural England and the Forestry Commission who have taken immediate action in an attempt to prevent further jobs. in the place. We are mounting a wide-ranging investigation with Natural England, the Forestry Commission and other partners. We cannot comment further at this stage. “
Throup tweeted: “Fourteen specialist officers from the Environment Agency, Natural England, Forestry Commission, West Mercia Police and Herefordshire Council are now gathering information and evidence.”
Critics said more should have been done to stop the destruction last week, on November 26, when the EA was first alerted to the activity taking place along the riverbank. It is understood that the event was designated as a Category 1 incident; an event that has a serious, extensive or persistent impact on the environment.
But it wasn’t until significant damage was done that the EA and other officials used their powers of entry to stop the destruction, which environmentalists said would take decades to repair.
The river is protected as it is an important habitat for salmon, otters, lampreys, dragonflies and crayfish. Protection also covers the way the river meanders through the countryside. But after several days of activity, the river banks have flattened, the gravel has been scraped off the river bed, and the smooth bend of the river has been straightened.
Helen Stace, Executive Director of the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, said: “A large stretch of one of the UK’s most important rivers, the Lugg, has been devastated with serious consequences for wildlife and water quality downstream. This is a tragedy.
“This is a crime against the environment. Quick action must be taken and we want the authorities to investigate the matter quickly. We hope that this case will be dealt with in a serious and forceful manner and any resulting prosecution should act as a deterrent to prevent anyone from committing this type of crime again. We will also ask for the restoration of the river to its natural course ”.
Television gardener Monty Don, who lives near Leominster, told the local Hereford Times newspaper: “It breaks my heart, but it is too typical of the ignorance, arrogance and senseless destruction of those privileged to tend our fields.
