Latest news with #CanveyIsland
Yahoo
7 days ago
- 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
7 days ago
- 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
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Closed south Essex tennis courts re-open after £85,000 refurbishment
A SET of shuttered community tennis courts have reopened to the public following an £85,000 refurbishment. Tennis courts at the King George V playing fields on Canvey's Poplar Road have reopened following a major renovation described as creating "first-class facilities that can be enjoyed for years to come.' The project was funded by Castle Point Council and delivered as part of the Lawn Tennis Association's largest ever nation-wide facility improvement project. 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. Canvey Island Independent Party Mayor of Castle Point, Barry Campagna said: 'The reopening of the King George V playing fields marks a proud moment for our community. 'Thanks to our work with the Lawn Tennis Association, we now have first-class facilities that can be enjoyed for years to come.' The courts have undergone extensive work including resurfacing, repainting and the installation of new fencing, nets and gate access systems. The Lawn Tennis Association's nationwide programme of investment is seeing thousands of existing park tennis courts in poor or unplayable condition brought back to life for the benefit of communities across the country. The refurbished courts will host Local Tennis Leagues, giving people the opportunity to get involved in friendly and social competitions. Read more Faces of gang members jailed for 34 years over Southend violence last summer Bookmakers release odds for National League title race 'Explosions and loud bangs' rock homes as blaze spread across Basildon gardens Scott Lloyd, Lawn Tennis Association chief executive, said: 'We're delighted to see park tennis courts across Canvey officially re-open to the public, and in better shape than ever. 'Park tennis courts are vital for providing people with opportunities to pick up a racket, and we want as many people as possible, of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, to enjoy playing tennis and being active. "Thanks to this investment the sport will be opened up to more players, for years to come.' All courts are now available to book via the Lawn Tennis Association website
BBC News
11-07-2025
- BBC News
Wider Canvey Island ban would eradicate boy racers, councillor says
Boy racers who cause distress to residents could be "eradicated" by extending a banning order, a councillor Point Borough Council in Essex is consulting on plans to enlarge the area covered by an existing Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in Canvey allows fines of up to £1,000 for vehicle-related anti-social activities including making excessive noise, causing a nuisance or posing a danger to other road order could be extended for a further three years and expanded from the area covering Haven Road, Canvey Road and Roscommon Way to include Waterside Farm Leisure Centre car park, Northwick Road, Thamesview Business Park and Fenttiman Road. Common issues reported for a number of years included racing, dangerous driving and large gatherings, according to the Independent Party councillor Russ Savage said extending the ban would "ensure those particular individuals who are causing all the distress to residents are eradicated".He added: "Without a doubt this is very much what the residents are telling us they want." Breaching a PSPO is a criminal offence and may result in a fixed penalty notice of £100 or a fine of up to £1,000 on council's consultation is due to run until 1 August. This article was written by a trusted journalist and then edited for length and style with the help of AI, before being checked again by a BBC Journalist. It's part of a pilot. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
07-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Work to improve Canvey Island flood defences is completed
A £75m project to reinforce flood defences on an island has been completed after three years of work.A 3km (1.9 mile) stretch of revetment on Canvey Island in Essex has been renewed with new Environment Agency (EA) said the refreshed flood defences would protect 6,000 homes and businesses until at least operations manager James Mason said the defences would "easily be able to cope" if there was ever a repeat of the 1953 North Sea storm that killed 59 people on the island. "That said, if in a massive event they were to be over-topped... there are good emergency plans in place to ensure that we would do a safe evacuation of the island," he added. The revetment refers to the man-made material of asphalt placed on the slope leading from the shore, up to the sea of the previous revetment dated back to the steps to the beach and project information boards were installed, and a pathway between Thorney Bay and Chapman Sands was EA is improving flood defences along the Thames Estuary as part of the government's Thames Estuary 2100 plan. Mr Mason continued: "We've overlaid those older revetments, especially where they've blown and they've become void, and we've overlain it with this open stone asphalt which is a much more gradual slope which means that the wave energy is dissipated a lot more effectively which then reduces the likelihood of erosion."We've been using this method for decades, especially around the Essex coastline."So we know it's effective, we know it works well and we know that it's easy to maintain going forward." Former Conservative Canvey Island town councillor and Castle Point borough councillor, Ray Howard MBE, survived the flood in 1953 at age 10."We lost everything, my father had no insurance at all," he recalled."I knew what it was to be poor."He became part of a local flood defence committee for 43 years, and attended a ceremony celebrating the reinforced revetment on Friday."The wonderful job they've done, it's amazing," he said."It just pleases me to think that this scheme - that I voted for - has been a great success, and seeing my lovely officer today, I was able to thank every one of them." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
