Waterway maintenance, which is nowadays the responsibility of the Environment Dept, is virtually non-existent in some (many ?) areas.     Waterways are becoming blocked, or partially blocked, with the result that they cannot efficiently handle the flow of water following peak rainfall.    In flood-plain areas this changes the path of flood waters, exacerbating the effect of flooding and causing unnecessary additional damage to infra-structure.     Quite apart from the damage and distress caused to property owners, bridges become blocked, tarmac is ripped-up on roads, and the consequent clean-up and repair costs far out-weigh the cost of sensible preventative maintenance.     In some areas today major rivers are actually impassable due to fallen trees, and routine dredging of silted-up stretches has not been carried out since the old river authorities gave way to the DoE.     Maintenance is low-cost to the State, because much of the responsibility by law lies with adjacent landowners, but no-one at the DoE appears to be enforcing this.    If you need an example, try navigating the Bristol Avon from say Chippenham to Bath !     Implemented nationally this is a very low-cost idea that can save millions of pounds, not to mention saving many from the misery of unnecessary flooding !      

Firstly, by regular inspection of all waterways using regional DoE staff.     Where rivers are blocked by fallen trees, then all they have to do is take action to require the landowners to have them removed;   this is simply enforcing the existing law !     This will also help to prevent bridges from being blocked and damaged during floods.     Next, the regional DoE authorities need to implement a small amount of routine maintenance in terms of periodical dredging, and treatment of rushes, etc..     The expenditure required comes in the category of "a stitch in time saves nine", and not only will there be substantial savings to local councils in terms of reduced flood damage to infrastructure, but also in terms of damage to homes and property that can be avoided.     This is very simple to implement, and all the regulations are in place, but the DoE is simply not doing its job;  let's please force them to act, especially as it can save us a fortune !