Godmanchester should look to St Ives on flood defences

Published: 5:52 PM May 13, 2009 Updated: 4:18 PM November 1, 2020

I am writing in response to Malcolm Cohen s letter (April 15) concerning improvements to the Causeway. Yes, it is unquestionably a pretty spot. Sadly, it is also very scruffy in many respects and well overdue for some TLC. The Environment Agency gave up o

I am writing in response to Malcolm Cohen's letter (April 15) concerning improvements to the Causeway. Yes, it is unquestionably a pretty spot. Sadly, it is also very scruffy in many respects and well overdue for some TLC.

The Environment Agency gave up on any proper river maintenance long ago, leaving the basin area to silt up gradually. The water by the footpath is a dumping ground for all manner of rubbish and, if it weren't for the Godmanchester Town Council volunteers including this part of the river bed in their annual litter-pick, then it would really be an unsightly mess. The old metal railings and concrete supports are just plain ugly out and worn out plus the footpath is too narrow with inadequate parking.

I am sure that any improvements to this lovely spot by part-infilling the basin area would be welcomed by the majority, and a nicely sculpted grass area with seating would bring joy to many while also helping to reduce the flood risk.

There have been many excellent proposals and drawings submitted for landscaping this area, so taking the opportunity to make such improvements in conjunction flood defence work is surely just common sense. St Ives is a fine example of how well these types of improvement can be sympathetically blended with flood improvement works.