We have lived in Brigsteer for nearly 13 years after a move from rural Norfolk.

We chose to live where we do because of the wonderful views across the Lyth valley. These are the traditional views of the English countryside, with green fields, separated by hedges.

These fields are the home of the different animals, which provide the local farmers with their livelihood.

Due to the valley being part of the drainage system for the adjacent higher ground, it is very wet for some months of the year. In order that the farmers may use this land, both for grazing and for winter food for the animals, a drainage scheme has been in operation for many years.

This scheme includes a number of features, such as small rivers which run between levies, together with a system of pumps to ensure that the output from these rivers is cleared into the nearby sea.

This plan has been run by the Environmental Agency for some years. However, they have now decided, for some good reason, to discontinue doing so. The immediate effect of this is that the pumps are due to be switched off at the end of this year.

Now, in this situation it is necessary for another body to take over responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the pumps. The current proposal by the farmers, who obviously have the most to lose in this situation, is to set up an Internal Drainage Board (IDB) to take over from the Environmental Agency and run the pumps. The funding for this activity will be split between the farmers who farm in the valley and South Lakeland District Council.

Some people have decided they do not wish the pumps to be run in the future and that the valley should be allowed to return to being the wetland it was before the farmers made it into the pleasant area is now is. We are absolutely appalled by this proposal.

In Norfolk, where a similar situation on a smaller scale occurred locally, animals had been used for many years to keep an area of land clear. They were suitably restricted so they could not damage local properties by using their gardens as a supplementary source of food.

Then the council was legally forced to remove the fences, which meant all the animals had to be removed.

Within two years the council had to reverse their restriction because the ground became a jungle. It was impossible to walk through and looked absolutely terrible.

The local householders realised that with this eyesore on their doorstep, the value of their properties was rapidly being eroded and that the animals had been the best way to keep their houses looking attractive in a nice country environment.

With this previous experience, you will understand our horror at the thought that the whole of the Lyth Valley could be reduced to this state in a matter of a few years if this madness by a few people is allowed to proceed.

The other worrying feature of the present situation is the insistence on ‘consultation’. If this is allowed to escalate, we will still be talking this time next year and the situation in the valley will have deteriorated beyond recovery. For the sake of the farmers whose livelihood is as stake and those of us who love the valley as it is, please set up the IDB quickly and keep the pumps switched on.

Sheila and John King

Brigsteer

 

* For more letters, see this week's The Westmorland Gazette