Latest news with #MartinEngland
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Council losing control of lake after toxic sample
A council is set to give up ownership of a lake after inspectors found high levels of toxicity in the water. On 2 July, the Environment Agency (EA) took a sample at Canvey Lake in Essex and found the cell count of blue-green algae was 2.5 million per millilitre. The EA's "warning threshold" for the algae is 20,000 cells per millilitre. Canvey Island Town Council said it had been doing "all it can to stop the environmental stress to the wildlife" but that it was surrendering its lease to the local borough council. Castle Point Borough Council said it would write up a plan to restore the lake to "sound ecological health" and would maintain it going forward. The high bacterial readings were revealed after a Freedom of Information Act request submitted by the Friends of Canvey Lake group. Campaigner Martin England, 61, said the town council had "neglected" the lake and the situation was heading towards an "environmental disaster". He said the council failed to dredge the lake frequently enough, and the hot weather had led to the outbreak of blue-green algae. "The birds and the fish have been dying, it's that simple," he said. Dead fish have been seen floating on the lake's surface in the past, and fish were moved from the lake in 2023 because of the lack of oxygen in the water. Hayley Cockayne, 49, said: "I think it's unacceptable and it shouldn't have been allowed to continue for such a long time." She recalls taking sick wildlife to the local hospital, adding: "[In 2022] I stepped out my door to be confronted by dead fish floating, a horrendous stench, wildfowl staggering - drowning." She said she feeds and provides fresh water to wildlife, such as ducks, each day near the lake. In a detailed statement, Canvey Island Town Council said it had carried out various steps to manage the area. Barley straw was installed in May to reduce potential algae blooms, an aerator has been installed to help with oxygen levels and vast quantities of fish have been removed over the course of three years. It has also put signs up warning people to stay away from the water. "The town council is doing all it can to stop the environmental stress to the wildlife and to the local area," a spokesperson said. Long-term projects to preserve the lake would need more funding, the town council added. A Castle Point Borough Council spokesperson said: "[The council] will prepare a fully costed business plan that sets out a programme that not only restores Canvey Lake to a condition of sound ecological health, but also maintains the lake in good condition through ongoing maintenance." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on this story Call for council to be abolished over lake dispute Public warned to keep away from toxic lake Related internet links Canvey Island Town Council Castle Point Borough Council Environment Agency
BBC News
19-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Toxic algae in Canvey Lake leads to council action
A council is set to give up ownership of a lake after inspectors found high levels of toxicity in the 2 July, the Environment Agency (EA) took a sample at Canvey Lake in Essex and found the cell count of blue-green algae was 2.5 million per EA's "warning threshold" for the algae is 20,000 cells per Island Town Council said it had been doing "all it can to stop the environmental stress to the wildlife" but that it was surrendering its lease to the local borough council. Castle Point Borough Council said it would write up a plan to restore the lake to "sound ecological health" and would maintain it going forward. The high bacterial readings were revealed after a Freedom of Information Act request submitted by the Friends of Canvey Lake Martin England, 61, said the town council had "neglected" the lake and the situation was heading towards an "environmental disaster".He said the council failed to dredge the lake frequently enough, and the hot weather had led to the outbreak of blue-green algae."The birds and the fish have been dying, it's that simple," he fish have been seen floating on the lake's surface in the past, and fish were moved from the lake in 2023 because of the lack of oxygen in the water. Hayley Cockayne, 49, said: "I think it's unacceptable and it shouldn't have been allowed to continue for such a long time."She recalls taking sick wildlife to the local hospital, adding: "[In 2022] I stepped out my door to be confronted by dead fish floating, a horrendous stench, wildfowl staggering - drowning."She said she feeds and provides fresh water to wildlife, such as ducks, each day near the lake. In a detailed statement, Canvey Island Town Council said it had carried out various steps to manage the straw was installed in May to reduce potential algae blooms, an aerator has been installed to help with oxygen levels and vast quantities of fish have been removed over the course of three has also put signs up warning people to stay away from the water."The town council is doing all it can to stop the environmental stress to the wildlife and to the local area," a spokesperson projects to preserve the lake would need more funding, the town council added.A Castle Point Borough Council spokesperson said: "[The council] will prepare a fully costed business plan that sets out a programme that not only restores Canvey Lake to a condition of sound ecological health, but also maintains the lake in good condition through ongoing maintenance." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Campaigners stepping up fight for action to protect beloved south Essex Lake
CAMPAIGNERS concerned about the future of the beloved Canvey Lake have met with a Castle Point MP and called for more to be done to ensure its long-term health. The meeting comes as the Friends of Canvey Lake group relaunch their 'save Canvey Lake' poster campaign in an effort to raise awareness about what they see as the neglect and mismanagement of the treasured community asset. Castle Point Council has said it remains committed to protecting the lake and that there is potential for investment if residents desire it. We're now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone. Alan Tibbit is the chairman of Save Canvey Lake and was one of those to meet with Castle Point's Conservative MP Dame Rebecca Harris earlier this week. 'It is refreshing to see that our MP agrees with us about dredging the lake and our aim is for a complete reset to 2010 levels,' he said – the group would like to see the condition of the lake restored to the quality it was at 15 years ago. Campaign - Members of Friends of Canvey Lake met with Dame Rebecca earlier this week (Image: Martin England) 'This is now a risk to public health with botulism and algae, and with the recent hot weather, and shallow depths of water, the botulism and algae will only get worse over the coming months. 'Canvey Lake should be for Canvey people, and our councillors need to do something about the issues or let those that care about it take over the running of the lake.' Determined - The campaigners have launched new posters as part of their mission (Image: Martin England) The residents' concerns around Canvey Lake stretch back years and have seen numerous campaigns launched to address its 'mismanagement'. As part of their latest project, the group has distributed posters to businesses across the island in the hopes of raising awareness of the issues facing the lake. After meeting the residents, Dame Rebecca said she understands the council to be working on the issue but believes it still needs dredging. Beloved - Canvey Lake is a point of pride for residents (Image: Google Maps) Ian Butt, director of place and communities at Castle Point Council said: 'Canvey Lake is an important community asset managed by Canvey Island Town Council. 'The Borough Council will continue to work with the Town Council, residents and other stakeholders regarding the ongoing management and maintenance of the lake. "Canvey Island has received a £20 million investment through the Government's Long-Term Plan for Towns Programme. If the community and residents choose to prioritise it, part of this funding could be allocated to improvements to the lake."
