South Yorkshire Times - 7 May 2010
Down-at-eel Darfield finds itself bottom of the flood prevention (fish) ladder
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By Sally Burton
Published Date: 07 May 2010
FLOOD victims at Darfield are furious that while they live in
fear of inundation, £324,000 has been poured into work on the
River Dearne... to benefit EELS and FISH!
With some residents of Church View only NOW moving back into
their homes after the floods of 2007, the Environment Agency has
tipped cash into the creation of a swish fish-ladder.
While the flood barriers that the locals have begged for remain unbuilt, scores of boulders have been piled into the river, to create the herringbone ladder - along with fishing ramps and a car park.
Darfield flood committee member John Bannister blasted: "A massive crane had to lift these boulders - some of which are the size of a family saloon car.
"The project has gone on for months - hundreds of thousands of cash spent on this scheme.
"And I can't believe this mass of boulders in the river won't affect the water level."
He added: "Everyone here feels so defeated. Do the powers that be care more for fish than they do for people? Because that's what it seems to come down to.
"We've got an Environment Agency, now what about a People's Agency? Whenever it rains, everyone here and on Riverside Close panics.
"Flood defences, and finding the funding for them, should have taken top priority. Nothing is in place to guarantee our safety in the future."
Mr Bannister is also raising the issue of a sand container supplied for the area, saying: "This self-service idea with sand won't work for the elderly and single parents round here. They can't carry sacks!".
Darfield councillors say they were not consulted fully about the fish-ladder plan, passed by Barnsley Council last year.
The river has been stocked with eels and an 11-vehicle car park has been built at the ladder, along with fishing ramps, and a canoe-launch point will be added later.
The work was spearheaded by Darfield Community Association, and led by the EA in conjunction with the council, Houghton Main Angling Club, Villages 4 Community Partnership and Barnsley Development Agency.
EA Fisheries Technical Officer Jerome Masters said: "The Environment Agency successfully applied for funding from Defra, and used income generated from the sale of rod licences .
"This funding could only be used for ecological and recreational improvements."
He said the area had been improved "for the community and for wildlife", including both fish and other species such as otters and kingfishers.
While the flood barriers that the locals have begged for remain unbuilt, scores of boulders have been piled into the river, to create the herringbone ladder - along with fishing ramps and a car park.
Darfield flood committee member John Bannister blasted: "A massive crane had to lift these boulders - some of which are the size of a family saloon car.
"The project has gone on for months - hundreds of thousands of cash spent on this scheme.
"And I can't believe this mass of boulders in the river won't affect the water level."
He added: "Everyone here feels so defeated. Do the powers that be care more for fish than they do for people? Because that's what it seems to come down to.
"We've got an Environment Agency, now what about a People's Agency? Whenever it rains, everyone here and on Riverside Close panics.
"Flood defences, and finding the funding for them, should have taken top priority. Nothing is in place to guarantee our safety in the future."
Mr Bannister is also raising the issue of a sand container supplied for the area, saying: "This self-service idea with sand won't work for the elderly and single parents round here. They can't carry sacks!".
Darfield councillors say they were not consulted fully about the fish-ladder plan, passed by Barnsley Council last year.
The river has been stocked with eels and an 11-vehicle car park has been built at the ladder, along with fishing ramps, and a canoe-launch point will be added later.
The work was spearheaded by Darfield Community Association, and led by the EA in conjunction with the council, Houghton Main Angling Club, Villages 4 Community Partnership and Barnsley Development Agency.
EA Fisheries Technical Officer Jerome Masters said: "The Environment Agency successfully applied for funding from Defra, and used income generated from the sale of rod licences .
"This funding could only be used for ecological and recreational improvements."
He said the area had been improved "for the community and for wildlife", including both fish and other species such as otters and kingfishers.
(this story first appeared in the South Yorkshire Times in April 2010)
Previous articles:
1/5/10 - Darfield flood victims condemn £324,000 'fish ladder' (Telegraph)