§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 17 November (WA 236–237), whether maintenance by public authorities includes clearing the banks and watercourses of the Knock and Connswater Rivers of rubbish and dumped materials; and, if not, whether they will make it their policy. [HL744]
§ Baroness AmosMaintenance of the Knock and Connswater Rivers is carried out by the Rivers Agency of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, as necessary, to ensure free flow. This maintenance will include clearance of rubbish and dumped materials from banks and channel only where this is likely to impede flows, and not for general aesthetic or amenity reasons. There are no plans to change the policy. Primary responsibility for the clearance of rubbish rests with the adjacent landowners on this extensive urban watercourse system.
Maintenance on designated reaches of the Connswater River and Knock River is scheduled by Rivers Agency for February and March this year.