7:56am Friday 31st July 2009
A FORESTER from North Yorkshire has been chosen to head up a ground-breaking pilot project to reduce flood risk in the Pickering and Sinnington areas.
The £700,000 scheme is one of three demonstration schemes nationally chosen by Defra to assess how land management upstream can reduce flooding in vulnerable communities.
Now Simon Marrington, from Pickering, has been appointed as the project’s co-ordinator.
The 36-year-old will act as the main point of contact for local people and landowners and liaise with Pickering’s town council, civic society and flood defence group.
Community involvement is seen as crucial to the initiative’s success, which is the first of its kind in the UK.
Simon said: “This is a cutting-edge project. We want to show how tree planting, creating buffer strips along watercourses and blocking moorland drains can increase the time between heavy rain falling on the upper catchment and its arrival as flood waters through Pickering and Sinnington.
“Harnessing nature is the key, allowing us to develop sustainable techniques to slow the flow.
“But working with the community is also vital. If we are successful, this model could used elsewhere in the country.”
The two-year scheme is a partnership between the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, North York Moors National Park Authority, Natural England, Ryedale District Council and Durham University.
The Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee, which raises money from local authorities in the region, has earmarked £50,000 towards the project.
Before this new post, Simon spent five years with the Forestry Commission, most recently in charge of restock planting on its estate in Dalby, Cropton and Langdale forests. Before that he worked on golf courses as an environmental consultant. He said: “Cropton Forest straddles the catchment areas for watercourses running down to Pickering and Sinnington, so I’ve got a good start in terms of knowing the lay of the land. “There’s still some detailed survey work and modelling to be done to identify the best areas for new planting. One of my jobs is to work with landowners to explain what grants are available and help get trees into the ground where they will be of most benefit.”
A public meeting will be staged in Pickering in September, giving residents chance to meet Simon, find out more about the project and express their views on progress so far. Simon can be contacted on 07917 172679, or email simon.marrington@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
