QUARTERLY MEETINGS
Meetings are normally held 7:30pm in the Oak Room bar at the Curzon Cinema.
The location and date of the meetings are subject to change and will be confirmed a month before each meeting. Please check here for updates before attending a meeting. Please confirm via this website if you intend to attend a particular meeting.
Next meeting
Quarterly meeting: 7:30pm Wednesday 6th February 26; Location to be confirmed
If you’ve never been before you will be very welcome. We would be grateful if you could drop a line on the website, just so we have an idea of the numbers attending.
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Sadik Al-Hassan’s notes on Maintenance of Rivers held at Christchurch Clevedon;
presentations are at the very bottom of this page.
Thank you for joining me for my Maintaining our Waterways Town Hall.
It was great to hear from our speakers, but also to hear thought-out and passionate questions from you in the audience about the current condition of North Somerset’s watercourses.
Attached are the following:
- The Power Point Presentation from Sadik Al-Hassan, the Environment Agency and Somerset Drainage Boards Consortium.
- The questions answered in the Q&A section and a summary of answers
- Your Watercourse: Rights and Roles PDF from the Environment Agency
- The North Somerset Council’s report on Environment Agency maintenance withdraw impacts in North Somerset.
If you would like to leave feedback on the event, you can fill out the form using the link here: Managing Our Waterways Town Hall, Clevedon – Fill in form.
I recognise the frustrations of many residents in relation to the health and maintenance of our river. The Environment Agency is due to undertake a formal consultation process concerning the withdrawal of maintenance, and I would encourage everyone to engage with this opportunity to ensure your views are heard.
A key takeaway from the event, was the importance of reporting issues environmental harms/issues when seen to the Environment Agency (Environment Agency incident hotline: 0800 80 70 60). The more reports the Environment Agency receive (concerning any dead fish etc), the more likely it is to be recognised and hopefully result in action.
To report issues regarding surface water flood issues, visit North Somerset Council’s website here.
I will continue to advocate on your behalf, as well as to press within Westminster for more effective and joined-up oversight of our waterways.
Q&A section
Will the Environment Agency (EA) be dredging as in previous years, or cutting back weeds?
EA: Very unlikely to get funding to do dredging on the Land Yeo River in the current circumstances. Also, that dredging has its place in good maintenance, but it isn’t always suitable in every case to do, as it can cause problems if water is sped up in the wrong area.
Somerset Drainage Boards Consortium (SDBC): Dredging should be an infrequent operation, on a low gradient, low flow channel once every 10-12 years. Annual re-cut is more appropriate for maintaining the river.
Question regarding Riparian Owners, and the difficulties surrounding funding maintenance works and responsibilities.
EA: If the riverbank is owned, then it’s likely that the responsibility will lie with the owner of the land up until the centre line of the river.
SDBC: The consultation is a very important step and please raise this issue within the consultation. These things don’t change overnight and even though people may be a Riparian owner, not everyone has the capability and resources to pick this up.
Millions of pounds has been bid in Wessex for river maintenance, and just under half was awarded. The SDBC encourages the EA to share what work will not be done as a result of the under allocation of funding. It is also important to push for a transition period. If the SDBC were to pick up the gap of work left by the EA’s withdrawal, this would be a burden of an extra £3 million a year on Councils and therefore taxpayers.
SDBC pushes for a transition period and conversation about how the gap in work can be managed.
Do Riparian owners get any additional help with maintaining the rivers if they are disabled?
EA: No, currently there is no additional assistance for people with disabilities. The EA recognises this is a challenging situation. The EA’s resources are very overstretched. The EA suggests that contractors might be able to help, although appreciates that with the cost of living this puts a financial burden on Riparian owners. The EA will prioritise flood risk benefits in specific areas.
Audience questions:
Question regarding issues other than flood risk, particularly the overall health of the rivers. The river is overwhelmed by invasive species which has badly impacted the nature of the river and the health. Who is responsible for the health of the river?
EA: The EA has lots of functions around biodiversity and protecting the environment as well as flood risk.
Riparian owners are responsible for invasive species but appreciate it is not always as simple as that.
SDBC: Although the presentation has been flooding focused, the EA does have
If you are seeing pollution and environmental harm, particularly fish deaths, it’s important to report when you see it.
Environmental duty officers will triage and if deemed a category 1 and 2, they will visit and trace source of issue and undertake enforcement.
EA doesn’t always get reports on things happening, so people are encouraged to report and to phone the hotline. (Environment Agency incident hotline
Telephone: 0800 80 70 60).
Was the recent work undertaken on the Land Yeo by the EA considered reed-cutting or dredging?
EA: The maintenance program has focused on weed cutting.
Is there likely to be any more reed-cutting on Land Yeo this year?
EA: Waiting to see whether funding or resource will allow this.
If there is another dry summer, then reeds will grow across the banks, increasing flood risk during wet winters.
EA: The EA wouldn’t undertake the work at all if it didn’t make a difference. The vegetation clearance is worth doing, but for the EA it is a balance of risk across all watercourses is considered. Low water levels have caused problems across the whole area, and there have been environmental impacts from this.
Question surrounding house insurance, with houses now being designated as a flood risk which wasn’t previously.
SDBC: suggested that the revival of NaFRA (National Flood Risk Assessment) within the EA, might have impacted on insurance quotes, with new frameworks more accurately mapping flooding.
EA: NaFRA isn’t the only thing being used to set premiums. Suggested going to price comparison website and national flood forum who can help with insurance. Very good for advice.
Question surrounding cutting back brambles on Blind Yeo and surrounding rivers. Is a permit needed to cut brambles back? Also, who can be asked about planning permission to put stairs and a guard rail down into the river?
EA: You do not need a permit to cut back brambles if it is your land. If it is not your land, you will need to seek permission from the landowner. If you are attaching something to the watercourse, please come down to the local EA office to seek advice. The EA owns the Blind Yeo bank.
Where areas of the Land Yeo bank are not owned by residents, how can the owner be found, to hold them accountable for maintaining their part of the river?
EA: Can’t comment on specific boundary issues, but it could be that the land is unregistered. Could be that the EA might be able to do something under permissive powers for that area of land or deliver notice to owners.
Suggested to contact the flood wardens who can advise on risk and insurance when undertaking work on the rivers.
Sadik Al-Hassan MP: Suggested that my office might be able to help find owner, although this can be a very tricky issue.
Question about problems to the West of Clevedon, with a whole length of river between Tickenham through to Wraxall. There is a levy and a section where the banks could easily give way and cause flooding.
EA: Please contact and write into our local office for the catchment manager to look at on wessexenquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
Maintenance missed between Marshfield and Penny Field on a part of the river. That section where fish deaths were reported. Are there any plans to do this part?
EA: Still trying to get funding to do maintenance work. There are access problems and issues with resources. EA still trying to do funding to do the work.
How can Riparian owners be responsible for maintenance on their parts of the river? Concerns surrounding the cost, especially with the equipment needed. Not within the expense or ability of the people who live on the riverbank. Question surrounding whether the status of the as a flood risk?
EA: Recognises the devastation which flooding can cause. The EA strongly encourages people to contact them with evidence they can use to support their bid for more funding.
Kind regards,
Sadik
Sadik Al-Hassan MP
Member of Parliament for North Somerset
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
sadik.alhassan.mp@parliament.uk
Telephone: 01275 403963
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Friday 10th October 2025 email update from Sadik Al-Hassan MP.
Dear Land Yeo Friends Geoffrey
Some very welcome news on the Land Yeo River!
I’m thrilled to share that after considerable interventions on behalf of committed residents, contractors are scheduled to begin maintenance work on the Lower Land Yeo river on 20th October, weather permitting.
The Environment Agency will be overseeing the work, and will carry out a thorough inspection to ensure the work meets the expected standards. I will monitor the situation closely and will continue to provide updates on this work and on long term plans.
This marks a significant first step in restoring the health and beauty of our river, and I know many of you will join me in celebrating this progress.
Thank you for your continued vigilance regarding the condition of the Land Yeo River. I recognise the importance of this issue to our community, and I am dedicated to ensuring that it is addressed effectively, once and for all.
Sadik
Sadik Al-Hassan MP
Member of Parliament for North Somerset
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
sadik.alhassan.mp@parliament.uk
Telephone: 01275 403963
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Environment Agency response to Sadik Al-Hassan MP re Land Yeo maintenance
Environment Agency Area Director Wessex:
Rivers House, East Quay, Bridgwater, TA6 4YS
email: wessexenquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
Sadik Al-Hassan MP
Sent via email: sadik.alhassan.mp@parliament.uk
And emilie.spence@parliament.uk
Our Ref: EC27723
28 July 2025
Dear Sadik,
EC27723 Land Yeo River
Thank you for your email dated 24th July where you refer to the concerns of your
constituents for the Land Yeo River.
The Environment Agency has, in the past, undertaken works to maintain the Land Yeo River
using its permissive powers. As the Environment Agency does not own any land along the
Land Yeo River there is no legal duty or obligation on the Environment Agency to carry out
maintenance work. Our access for undertaking these works has become increasingly difficult
due to physical barriers and necessary changes needed to keep our staff and contractors
safe whilst they are undertaking the work.
Due to increases in our operating costs, we have had to prioritise our resources to ensure
works providing the greatest flood risk benefits are completed first. We have planned our
maintenance programme to reflect our available resources and the level of flood risk cost
benefit of undertaking the work. The Land Yeo River is on our list of work to be considered
for delivery in 2025. The final assessment on whether we can proceed will depend on
available funding and demands to undertake work at other similar locations.
The responsibility to ensure the watercourse and its banks are maintained up to the centre of
the channel, and to ensure the channel is kept free of blockages that could affect the natural
flow of water or increase the risk of flooding falls to the riparian landowner(s). In the event of
third-party flooding from a blockage in the watercourse persons affected can take legal
action for compensation. Residents undertaking maintenance activities themselves to meet
their responsibilities as a riparian landowner should ensure they do not compromise their
safety in doing so: I would encourage consultation with competent contractors to undertake
the works on their behalf where there are safety concerns.
If you have any further queries regarding this, please do not hesitate to contact Wessex
Enquiries by emailing wessexenquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk or calling General
Enquiries on 03708 506 506.
Yours sincerely
Ian Withers
Area Director, Wessex
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ENVIRONMENT AGENCY CONFIRM THAT THEY WILL NOT BE UNDERTAKING ANY MAINTENANCE OF THE LAND YEO FOR 2024-2025
Request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) / Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR)
The Environment Agency are undertaking a reduced maintenance programme, maintenance along the Land Yeo will be paused from April 2024 to April 2025. This year, we are focusing on the Environment Agency’s requirement to maintain Environment Agency owned Flood Alleviation Schemes, pumping stations and owned land where the Environment Agency is the riparian owner. This will mean there will be a change from the maintenance activities the public have witnessed in previous years. In some locations reduced or no maintenance where the Environment Agency exercise its permissive powers to carry out maintenance on behalf of the riparian owner.
Ultimately the responsibility of the maintenance of main rivers and ordinary watercourses falls to the watercourse owner. All riparian landowners have a right to protect their property from flooding and erosion. Your actions must not increase flood risk or erosion to other people’s property or land, either directly or by impacting other sources of flooding. There are also legal requirements that we all must follow.
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Text of Letter to Sadiq Al-Hassan MP (for North Somerset) 17th September 24 re deterioration in river maintenance, who has since invited the LYF to a constituency surgery in November 24.
Dear Mr Al-Hassan,
We are writing collectively as the Land Yeo Friends to make you aware of our concerns about how the Land Yeo River, which runs through Clevedon, requires a programme of effective maintenance in order to reduce the risk of surface water flooding in Clevedon.
The risk of surface water flooding in Clevedon is of real concern. Flooding has occurred in the past, both in the centre of Clevedon, and in other places. As our recently elected MP we would welcome an opportunity to take you on a walk along all or part of the Land Yeo River in Clevedon. We hope that would also be of interest to the local press as raising awareness of our concerns about keeping this river well maintained is important. In essence we hope that we could look to you to champion our efforts to raise public awareness of the importance of maintaining this river, both in Parliament, as well as at a more local level.
Previous incidents of flooding in Clevedon have shown that unless the Land Yeo is subject to an adequate maintenance programme which tackles issues such as weed and reed growth, safety measures in place may not be effective due to stagnation within the Land Yeo which would hinder the flow of water out of the river. Given that our historic and much loved Curzon cinema, local businesses and homes have in recent times, as well as in the past, seen water rise at alarming levels, we hope, that with your help we can do whatever is possible to achieve to reduce this risk.
While The Environment Agency and North Somerset Council are tasked with working together to reduce the risk of surface water flooding, issues to do with budgets and areas of responsibility hamper the very real need for a practical maintenance programme that requires equipment and personal to clear this river. We would welcome an opportunity to discuss this with you.
While Land Yeo Friends have and continue to do some practical clearing of rubbish from the river, and water quality testing, to help maintain its health and flow, we do not have the means or person power to do the level of maintenance required. We would also like to discuss with the you the issue of riparian owners and how they also do not have the financial or practical resources to engage in any serious level of river clearance.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. We sincerely hope that you will be able to meet with us in the not too distant future.
Yours sincerely,
Geoffrey Harrison
Chairman
Land Yeo Friends
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Letter from the Environment Agency to Dr Liam Fox MP.
Environment Agency Area Director Wessex:
Rivers House, East Quay, Bridgwater, TA6 4YS
email: emma.baker@environment-agency.gov.uk
Dr Liam Fox MP
Via e-mail: foxli2@parliament.uk
Our ref: EB/EC20079
Date: 21st December 2023
Dear Dr Fox
Land Yeo river, Clevedon
Thank you for your email dated 12th December regarding flood risk and the
maintenance of the Land Yeo River in Clevedon.
The river banks along the Land Yeo River are formally inspected by us on a biennial
basis, the last of which took place in April 2022. All of the assets inspected within this
inspection were given a condition of ‘fair’ or ‘good’. The next is scheduled for March
2024.
The routine vegetation maintenance work along the Land Yeo consists of two
activities, a grass cut along the working bank and a weed cut in the channel. The grass
cut is carried out to provide sight lines for the machine driver carrying out the weed
cut. Work along the Land Yeo is primarily carried out along the left-hand bank of the
river where there is better access. There are some sections where in-channel work for
both banks is required due to not having access for the machine. This is the case
between Kingston Avenue and downstream of Vale Road North.
We carry out the grass and weed cuts to precise specifications to maintain a careful
balance between ensuring conveyance in the channel and leaving habitat for wildlife.
For the grass cut, this includes leaving a margin on the water’s edge and on the bank.
For the weed cut, this includes leaving some vegetation under the water uncut on each
side of the river bed.
Historically this work was carried out along both banks of the river and was to a more
rigorous cutting regime. However, access is no longer possible along the right-hand
bank of the river, as some riparian landowners have erected garden furniture, sheds
and fences along the river bank. Upstream of Churchill Avenue, access through
vehicle bollards has not been possible so far this year. As a result access to the river
for the machine to carry out the vegetation management work has not been possible.
Spraying to control bank-side vegetation was carried out along the Land Yeo in May
of this year and further spraying was carried out at Cook’s Clyce in July of this year.
Some small sections, including upstream of Marshall’s Field (IMG 5737), upstream of
Strode Road bridge and Churchill Avenue (IMG 5165 & IMG 5736) as well as the
section adjacent to Jacob’s Walk referenced in the attached documents, have not
been possible to cut, due to changes in safety standards in working near overhead
cables and working on narrow banks with ride-on plant.
The cutting regime has also become less rigorous to reflect the emphasis placed on
protecting biodiversity. Currently this work is carried out once annually towards the
end of summer and in to autumn. However, this year work was completed much later
than desired due to unforeseen delays to the programme.
To mitigate any resulting excessive vegetation growth, we are exploring options to
determine if it would be possible to complete an earlier round of vegetation
maintenance along the Land Yeo in Clevedon. This will supplement the usual work
carried out later in the season. This will be dependent on being allocated enough
money by government next year and beyond.
It is also worth noting that the Environment Agency carries out this work using its
permissive powers, and is not legally obliged to do so. The Environment Agency
receives a limited amount of money for flood risk maintenance from central
government, which it spends in the areas that have the greatest numbers of properties
at risk, as directed by government and its sponsoring Regional Flood and Coastal
Committees. The legal responsibility to ensure the bed and banks of a watercourse
are maintained as well as to ensure there are no blockages that could affect the natural
flow of water or increase the risk of flooding falls to the riparian landowner(s). More
information can be found on the government website Owning a watercourse – GOV.UK
(www.gov.uk).
At present, no reports of harm to wildlife caused by this vegetation have been received.
However, should any residents witness any distress to wildlife it should be reported as
soon as possible to enable investigation.
With particular regard to the report from the Land Yeo Friends, the report states that
the river from Northern Way is at high risk of flooding from surface water runoff. This
would be expected as this coincides with the urban area of Clevedon which has an
increased impermeable surface that will contribute to a reduction in infiltration and
therefore an increase in surface water runoff. The management of risk associated
with surface water flooding is the responsibility of the local authority, North Somerset
Council.
The map provided illustrates the flood risk and extend of flooding associated with
surface water, rather than fluvial, flooding. This extract shows that the river remains
contained within channel. Unfortunately the two photos provided within the report are
not viewable, so we will be unable to comment on them. The Land Yeo has a much
reduced fluvial flood risk due to the construction of the Blind Yeo River and the
operation of Cooks Clyce water level control structure along the Yearling Ditch. There
have been no reported properties affected by fluvial flooding in Clevedon since the
construction of the Blind Yeo River. The main risk of flooding to Clevedon, as shown
on the government website, is from a coastal flood event where the tidal banks are
overtopped or breached.
The two culverts mentioned in the report belong to private owners. We have written
to the owners asking them to allow access for inspection and clearance.
I do hope this has answered the enquiries raised in relation to maintenance of the
Land Yeo and flood risk in Clevedon. Please do get back in touch if you wish to discuss
this matter further.
Yours sincerely
EMMA BAKER
Area Director, Wessex
Appendix: consideration of suitable maintenance regimes on the River Yeo in
Clevedon
The Environment Agency has a legal duty to protect and enhance wildlife when
carrying out its flood risk works, so our maintenance teams work with Environment
Agency ecology officers to look for opportunities to accommodate wildlife features
without compromise to flood risk.
As channel and bankside vegetation provides important habitat for wildlife and refuge
for fish, each maintenance specification considers where wildlife habitat can be left in
relation to the risk of flooding. The specification for the Land Yeo has been chosen
because of the importance of marginal vegetation for wildlife. If correctly managed,
the interface between the wetted channel and the land can be the most biologically
diverse part of a river, providing habitat for many aquatic invertebrates, such as water
beetles, bugs, dragonflies and damselflies, and a refuge for fish. Remnant populations
of water voles are known upstream of Clevedon, so increasing the availability of
marginal cover along the lower reaches of the Land Yeo will help upstream populations
to expand and aid the recovery of this iconic, but rapidly declining species. Marginal
reeds and rushes also provide feeding and nesting habitat for birds such as reed and
sedge warbler, ducks, moorhen, and coot.
It is correct that in parts of the channel the dominance of branched bur reed is a
response to the accumulation of high nutrient levels, but this native species plays a
very important role in regulating freshwater ecosystems, providing food and shelter for
many insects, fish, water birds and mammals. Current research shows that branched
bur reed is one of the most effective plants for locking up excessive nutrients in
freshwater systems, and if it’s completely removed, these readily available nutrients
are exploited by surface floating nuisance and non-native invasive plant species, such
as duckweeds and algae. These can completely cover the channel, leading to
problems with dissolved oxygen and the subsequent decline in water quality and the
loss of fish and other river life. Our ecologists support branched bur reed management
to maintain conveyance and reduce flood risk but encourage its retention where this
is not an issue.
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Volunteering for the Land Yeo Friends
People are keen to help with litter picking, however we are an ageing group and are always looking for support for administration and management of the group. Not so glamorous as litter picking; it doesn’t require a lot of time, but it keeps the organisation alive. Feel free to come to a meeting or email via this site if you are interested.
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We have been successful in receiving funding to undertake a three year phosphate and nitrate water sampling campaign of the Land Yeo from the motorway downstream to the outfall. Sampling has commenced and a graph of results so far is on the news page.
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Two Rivers Walk is open, a pdf of the brochure is below. Small waymarking signs have been erected around the whole route on lampposts, gates etc. TO PROTECT THE PERMISSIONS WE HAVE FOR THE ROUTE; PLEASE STAY ON THE PUBLIC FOOTPATHS AND PERMISSIVE PATHS AND FOLLOW THE COUNTRY CODE.
PLEASE NOTE THE DRIVE CALLED “POWELLS ACRES” AT THE END OF THE STRETCH OF RIVER AFTER THE MEDICAL CENTRE IS PRIVATE LAND. THE WALK ROUTE TURNS RIGHT HERE AWAY FROM THE RIVER INTO KINGSTON AVENUE
TWO RIVERS WALK (Amended May 2020)
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The Two River Walk (interactive map link provides information about particular points around the walk. The pdf above provides a more reliable diagram of the actual route).
Nice blog describing the walk with pictures:
http://630miles.com/blog/2019/08/12/two-rivers-walk
Comments on Hello Clevedon Facebook about the walk: May 2020
Beautiful
Beautiful countryside.
I walked part of the Two River path today taking a short cut home past by the Craft Centre.
Beautiful
We did the two rivers walk recently too, such a lovely and interesting route!
It’s such a great walk, thanks so much for the signposting.
Excuse my ignorance but where is the two river path?
You can find information about the Two Rivers Walk here :- https://landyeofriends.org/
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SPONSORS AND DONORS
The Land Yeo Friends wishes to thank the following for donations which have assisted us in our mission to look after the river: (in alphabetic order)
Avon Wildlife Trust for funding for brochures for the LYF and for the Two Rivers Walk
Bristol Avon Catchment Partnership: grant to complete a 3 year sampling of nitrates and phospahtes of the Land Yeo through Clevedon and also to improve signage of Two Rivers walk.
Clevedon Town Council: provision of small grant funding which has enabled us to replace our broken power washer (vital for clean up after river clearance work) and to pay for trailer and boat insurance. subsequebnt grant to continue insurance and aslo to commence water quality survey of phosphates and nitrates.
Environment Agency; provision of a variety of equipment to support river clearance such as gloves, waders and rubbish bags.
Hydro International: a team supported a joint clean up day and donation to the LYF
Individual donations from the public.
Monmouthshire Building Society: provision of funding for three Buoyancy aids to provide safe working from the boat during river clearance.
North Somerset Council: for erection of new gates and stiles purchased by the Land Yeo Friends and assistance in completion of the Two Rivers Walk
Surfers against Sewage who allow us to work under the umbrella of their public indemnity insurance policy. They have also supplied us with a variety of litter picking equipment and a first aid kit
Wessex Quartet Community Funding for funding to cover public liability insurance and additional tools.
The Land Yeo Friends are the main reason that the river has been given a new lease of life.
Should you wish to help please use the contact details on the right hand side of this page
Donations are always welcomed from people interested in helping with our continuing
work – which entails a great deal more than removing rubbish from the river!
Land Yeo Friends 