Man threatened with 2 years in jail after cleaning 200 bags of trash from river

An environmental lawyer has been threatened with prosecution after organizing volunteers to remove more than 200 bags of rubbish from a polluted river in East London.

Paul Powlesland, 40, helped lead a cleanup of Alders Brook, a tributary of the River Roding, alongside volunteers from the River Roding Trust earlier this year. The group spent 10 days clearing litter, branches, weeds, and silt from the waterway after Powlesland said he had repeatedly asked the Environment Agency to act.

According to the Guardian, the volunteers removed 200 bags of rubbish from the site, but Powlesland was later sent a letter by the Environment Agency saying he was being investigated for carrying out unpermitted work.

“We consider that unpermitted works have taken place … in contravention of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016,” the letter read. “The site is currently under investigation for permitting and waste offences.”



Environment Agency investigates river cleanup

The Environment Agency alleges that dredging work was carried out and that waste was left on site within the flood plain, which it says could constitute a flood risk activity requiring an environmental permit.

MyLondon reported that Powlesland and the volunteers hired a digger for £1,000 and removed packaging, needles, domestic appliances, and even weapons from the river. The outlet also reported that the offense could carry a maximum punishment of two years in prison.

Powlesland, who lives on a houseboat on the River Roding, criticized the agency for targeting volunteers rather than focusing on sewage discharges and illegal dumping affecting the waterway.

“After decades of ignoring rampant environmental crime on the Roding, the Environment Agency has finally decided to act,” Powlesland stated.

“But it’s not action against Thames Water for dumping billions of litres of sewage in the Roding, or the waste criminals who have dumped thousands of tonnes of rubbish on its banks, but against the River Roding Trust for … restoring a river without a permit.”

Powlesland also claimed the cleanup has helped revive the area, saying wildlife has started returning to the section of river that was cleared.

“The section of the river which was cleared is really coming back beautifully, wildlife is returning, yet we are being threatened with prosecution,” he said.

In a statement, the Environment Agency said it “deeply” cares about protecting the River Roding and is willing to work with partners who want to improve the local environment.

“However, governance and expert advice is necessary to make sure that work does not cause unintended harm, to flood risk, drainage or the wider environment,” the agency said.

Local Government Lawyer reported that the Environment Agency said “no decision has been made on prosecution” and that it is investigating unpermitted works to ensure activity around waterways is properly assessed.

Thames Water said Combined Sewer Outfalls on the River Roding operate within limits set by the Environment Agency and are a legally permitted part of the wastewater system.

-Dexerto