Latest news with #NorthWestEngland
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Drought is declared in UK as ‘lost village' re-emerges with millions facing restrictions… check if your area is affected
MILLIONS of Brits could face water restrictions after a drought was declared in part of the country with the dry conditions seeing a 'lost village' re-emerge. The Environment Agency has imposed a drought status on the north-west of England after it has experienced the driest start to spring for 69 years. 6 6 6 Groundwater levels and river flows have been declining caused by the dry conditions in March, April and early May. Storage levels in reservoirs in the region have also been receding and are currently lower than they were at this time during the 1984, 1995 and 2022 drought years. There are currently no hose pipe bans in force in any part of the UK but earlier this month the Environment Agency warned water companies that more must be done to safeguard water supplies. Water companies are responsible for imposing any water restrictions, such as a hose pipe ban, which can restrict water usage. Companies can enforce a Temporary Use Ban using the guidelines set out in the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. These bans can restrict or prohibit activities like watering gardens and washing cars. A water authority can bring in a ban if it believes it is experiencing, or may experience, a serious shortage of water for distribution across a certain area. However, the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 does not define what is meant by a "serious shortage". The agency has put a drought plan in place to deal with the dry weather, and to regulate United Utilities in order to "make the best use of available water whilst also protecting the environment". A spokesperson for United Utilities, which supplies water to millions of people in the North West, said demand had reduced due to the water-saving measures done by its customers, along with the recent rainfall and milder temperatures. The arid conditions have seen what remains of the 'lost village' of Mardale Green in the Lake District re-emerge. Those who lived there were forced to leave when the village was flooded on September 15, 1935, but due to the dry conditions, the remnants of the place can now be seen after the water level receded. The rain that has fallen in recent days is not enough to reverse the dry start to the year and the further expected hot conditions in the coming weeks is likely to just exacerbate the situation, the Environment Agency says. The recent bank holiday weekend was a washout for most Brits as the weather took a marked downturn. In light of the drought status, the regulator has increased their operational response and ensured water companies step up their actions as laid out in their drought plans. This includes fixing leaks, communicating with customers and supporting them to reduce demand, and submitting drought permits to take more water, as needed. If these measures are taken in a timely manner it is expected to help preserve supplies for homes and the environment. While the North West has seen a dry start to the year, it is a mixed picture for other parts of the England. A meeting of the National Drought Group, comprising the Environment Agency and Defra ministers, is due to be held on June 5 to assess the situation across the country. Andy Brown, Water Regulation Manager at the Environment Agency, said: 'Drought is a naturally occurring phenomenon. 'As we see more impacts from climate change heavier rainfall and drier summers will become more frequent. 'This poses an enormous challenge over the next few decades. 'Despite the rain over the weekend levels remain low and we are encouraging people to be aware of the impacts of drought as we enter the summer period. 'With further unsettled periods and rainfall over the coming weeks we will continue to closely monitor the situation and implement our Drought Plan.' Defra has also announced today that the Environment Secretary was stepping in to speed up delivery for the first two major reservoirs since the 1990s as part of the government's action to secure the water supply. Mardale Green and the neighbouring village of Measand were submerged in order to create one of the UK's largest reservoirs, which is known as Haweswater Reservoir. The aim was for it to supply Manchester with water for 100 years. It's creation meant hundreds of people were forced to leave their homes. What is a drought? There is no one single definition of a drought which is used by Defra although the most obvious is that it is a period of low rainfall. However, the nature, timing and the impact it has on people, the environment, agriculture or business can vary. Some droughts can be short and intense, triggered by a hot and dry summer. Others can be much longer, taking time to develop over a number of seasons, caused by low amounts of rainfall. The main types of drought, according to Defra, which may occur separately or together are: Agricultural drought – when there isn't enough rainfall and moisture in soils to support crop production or farming practices such as spray irrigation. Environmental drought – when lack of rainfall has a detrimental impact on the environment and ecology. Water supply drought – when a lack of rainfall leads to concerns from water companies about supplies for their customers. The Environment Agency will monitor a number of indicators – including rainfall, river flows, groundwater levels, reservoir storage, ecology, public water supplies - and will decide the level of drought an area is in. Defra uses four stages to describe and manage any response: Prolonged dry weather – this period is characterised as the early stages of drought where we find there has been a period of dry weather and this is impacting on river flows, groundwater levels and water levels in lakes and reservoirs. Drought Severe drought Recovering from drought. It also meant 97 bodies had to be dug up and reburied in a graveyard in the nearby Shap. Mardale Church, which had seating for 50 people, held its last service in August 1935, with the Bishop of Carlisle leading the proceedings. The service was packed out and hundreds of others were forced to wait outside. Parts of the church can still be seen today when the water level drops. The local pub, the Dun Bull Inn, along with houses and farms were demolished to make way for the reservoir. The inn made a name for itself due to its hot buttered rum. It was popular with the locals as it was used by famers and hunters in the area to host fairs, dances, feasts as well as sales. Not everyone was happy with the village being destroyed as renowned fell walker Alfred Wainwright protested the move, having visited Mardale Green in 1930. He described the destruction of the village as 'the rape of Mardale'. The last time people were able to walk through what is left of the village was in July 2022. 6 6 6
New York Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Liverpool submit €130m transfer offer for Florian Wirtz
Liverpool have submitted an offer to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen worth up to €130million (£109m) in total. It is said by sources privy to the situation — speaking anonymously to protect relationships — to be an improved second bid form the newly-crowned Premier League champions. The proposed figure is a top-end amount, comprised of a guaranteed fee and potential add-ons. Advertisement Wirtz, 22, has emerged as a key target for Liverpool and the Germany international playmaker is keen on a move to Anfield. The Athletic reported on May 23 that Liverpool had opened talks with Leverkusen over the possible signing of Wirtz. Communication between the clubs had already been instigated with Jeremie Frimpong set to make the move to Anfield. Wirtz was also targeted by Bayern Munich, although the German champions were informed earlier this month of his preference to move to Liverpool. He has already visited the north west of England to look for houses to live in, should the deal proceed. The Germany international's Leverkusen contract runs until 2027, having last signed fresh terms in 2022. Wirtz starred as Leverkusen won a first league title in their history during the 2023-24 campaign and was named the Bundesliga's player of the season after scoring 18 goals and adding 20 assists. However, they failed to keep up with Bayern in the title race in 2024-25, finishing 13 points behind, with Wirtz contributing 16 goals and 15 assists. The playmaker has 29 caps for Germany since making his international debut in 2021. Analysis by Mark Carey Arne Slot has most commonly used Dominik Szoboszlai as Liverpool's attacking midfielder in his first season as Liverpool head coach, but the Hungary international has not necessarily shown all the traits you would typically associate with a player in that position. Szoboszlai has been a crucial cog in Slot's system, but as much for his off-ball energy in and out of possession as any of his qualities with the ball at his feet. Underlapping runs have been a crucial part of Liverpool's attacking play this season, with Szoboszlai's selfless running dragging opposition defenders with him — making space for the wingers to come inside and swing in back-post crosses to an onrushing team-mate. Advertisement While his selfless running is valuable, a return of five Premier League goals and six assists from 34 league appearances so far suggests there is room for improvement in Szoboszlai's attacking output — something Slot called out early on. Wirtz's basic attacking numbers are stronger, with 21 goals and 23 assists in the Bundesliga since the start of last season illustrating greater potency at the sharp end of the pitch, albeit while playing in a different league. They are different types of footballers. Wirtz is focused more on the micro, with delicate touches and deft flicks, compared to Szoboszlai's macro traits of energy and power. Both skill sets have their place depending on the opposition — if he joined them, Wirtz's close control and ball-carrying would add another dimension to Liverpool's attack rather than transform it. Wirtz's ability to play anywhere across the front line would add an extra layer of versatility to Slot's tactical setup, allowing him to rotate his attacking options during and between games without any decrease in quality. Whether dropping into pockets against deep blocks, pulling wide to evade his marker, or carrying the ball upfield single-handedly, Wirtz can do a bit of everything. Slot's first season has seen Liverpool scoring through their wide players rather than depending on a centre-forward. Wirtz could fit brilliantly into that mould, alleviating the need to sign a top striker, a notoriously difficult market. Given his youth, he could also help Liverpool prepare for life after Salah, who turns 33 next month. ()
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
UK's muddy saltmarshes vital to tackle climate change, report finds
The UK's saltmarshes are vital "sinks" that lock away climate-warming greenhouse gases in layers of mud, according to a new report from WWF. Much of the UK's saltmarshes have been lost to agriculture but the charity says they are unsung heroes in nature's fight against climate change. It is now calling for these muddy, tidal habitats to be added to the official UK inventory of how much carbon is emitted and how much is removed from our atmosphere every year. This formal recognition could, it hopes, provide more of an incentive to restore and protect more of these sites. Working with researchers from the UK's Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, a WWF team installed solar-powered greenhouse gas monitoring stations on Hesketh Out Marsh, a saltmarsh in North-West England that has been restored and is managed by the RSPB. Analysing gases in the air flowing around the marsh - over the course of a year - revealed how plants there "breathe in" more carbon dioxide in the summer than they release in winter. These new findings build on previous studies that have measured the amount of carbon in the marshland's mud. To carry it out, the team fixed analytical equipment to a sturdy 2.5m tall tower made of scaffolding poles. The site is regularly flooded by the tide, so the tower has kept their kit safe from salt water and debris. With WWF's ocean conservation specialist, Tom Brook as our guide, we waded through the thigh-high grass to visit the site of the experiment. At low tide, the sea is not visible beyond the expanse of grassland, but the area is littered with driftwood, some plastic waste and there is even a small, upturned boat nearby. "The plants grow so quickly here in spring and summer that they almost grow on top of each other - layering and decomposing," Tom said. "That captures carbon in the soils. So while we're typically taught about how trees breathe in carbon and store that in the wood, here salt marshes are doing that as mud. "So the mud here is just as important for climate mitigation as trees are." WWF has published its first year of findings in a report called The Importance of UK Saltmarshes. Unusually, this been co-published with an insurance company that is interested in understanding the role these sites have in protecting homes from coastal flooding. The UK has lost about 85% of its saltmarshes since 1860. They were seen as useless land and many were drained for agriculture. Hesketh Out Marsh has been restored - bought by the wildlife charity RSPB and re-flooded by tide. Now, in late spring, it is teeming with bird life. A variety of species, including avocets, oyster catchers and black-tailed godwits, probe the mud for food and nest on the land between lagoons and streams. The researchers hope the findings will help make the case to restore and protect more of these muddy bufferzones between the land and the sea. "The mud here is so important," explained Alex Pigott, the RSPB warden at Hesketh Out Marsh. "It's is like a service station for birds." With their differently shaped bills - some ideal for scooping and some for probing - marshland birds feed in the tidal mud. "We know these sites act as a natural flood defences, too and that they store carbon," said Ms Pigott. "Any any of these habitats that we can restore will be a big win for nature."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
UK's muddy saltmarshes vital to tackle climate change, report finds
The UK's saltmarshes are vital "sinks" that lock away climate-warming greenhouse gases in layers of mud, according to a new report from WWF. Much of the UK's saltmarshes have been lost to agriculture but the charity says they are unsung heroes in nature's fight against climate change. It is now calling for these muddy, tidal habitats to be added to the official UK inventory of how much carbon is emitted and how much is removed from our atmosphere every year. This formal recognition could, it hopes, provide more of an incentive to restore and protect more of these sites. Working with researchers from the UK's Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, a WWF team installed solar-powered greenhouse gas monitoring stations on Hesketh Out Marsh, a saltmarsh in North-West England that has been restored and is managed by the RSPB. Analysing gases in the air flowing around the marsh - over the course of a year - revealed how plants there "breathe in" more carbon dioxide in the summer than they release in winter. These new findings build on previous studies that have measured the amount of carbon in the marshland's mud. To carry it out, the team fixed analytical equipment to a sturdy 2.5m tall tower made of scaffolding poles. The site is regularly flooded by the tide, so the tower has kept their kit safe from salt water and debris. With WWF's ocean conservation specialist, Tom Brook as our guide, we waded through the thigh-high grass to visit the site of the experiment. At low tide, the sea is not visible beyond the expanse of grassland, but the area is littered with driftwood, some plastic waste and there is even a small, upturned boat nearby. "The plants grow so quickly here in spring and summer that they almost grow on top of each other - layering and decomposing," Tom said. "That captures carbon in the soils. So while we're typically taught about how trees breathe in carbon and store that in the wood, here salt marshes are doing that as mud. "So the mud here is just as important for climate mitigation as trees are." WWF has published its first year of findings in a report called The Importance of UK Saltmarshes. Unusually, this been co-published with an insurance company that is interested in understanding the role these sites have in protecting homes from coastal flooding. The UK has lost about 85% of its saltmarshes since 1860. They were seen as useless land and many were drained for agriculture. Hesketh Out Marsh has been restored - bought by the wildlife charity RSPB and re-flooded by tide. Now, in late spring, it is teeming with bird life. A variety of species, including avocets, oyster catchers and black-tailed godwits, probe the mud for food and nest on the land between lagoons and streams. The researchers hope the findings will help make the case to restore and protect more of these muddy bufferzones between the land and the sea. "The mud here is so important," explained Alex Pigott, the RSPB warden at Hesketh Out Marsh. "It's is like a service station for birds." With their differently shaped bills - some ideal for scooping and some for probing - marshland birds feed in the tidal mud. "We know these sites act as a natural flood defences, too and that they store carbon," said Ms Pigott. "Any any of these habitats that we can restore will be a big win for nature."
BBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
UK's muddy saltmarshes vital to tackle climate change
The UK's saltmarshes are vital "sinks" that lock away climate-warming greenhouse gases in layers of mud, according to a new report from of the UK's saltmarshes have been lost to agriculture but the charity says they are unsung heroes in nature's fight against climate is now calling for these muddy, tidal habitats to be added to the official UK inventory of how much carbon is emitted and how much is removed from our atmosphere every formal recognition could, it hopes, provide more of an incentive to restore and protect more of these sites. Working with researchers from the UK's Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, a WWF team installed solar-powered greenhouse gas monitoring stations on Hesketh Out Marsh, a saltmarsh in North-West England that has been restored and is managed by the gases in the air flowing around the marsh - over the course of a year - revealed how plants there "breathe in" more carbon dioxide in the summer than they release in new findings build on previous studies that have measured the amount of carbon in the marshland's carry it out, the team fixed analytical equipment to a sturdy 2.5m tall tower made of scaffolding poles. The site is regularly flooded by the tide, so the tower has kept their kit safe from salt water and WWF's ocean conservation specialist, Tom Brook as our guide, we waded through the thigh-high grass to visit the site of the experiment. At low tide, the sea is not visible beyond the expanse of grassland, but the area is littered with driftwood, some plastic waste and there is even a small, upturned boat nearby."The plants grow so quickly here in spring and summer that they almost grow on top of each other - layering and decomposing," Tom said. "That captures carbon in the soils. So while we're typically taught about how trees breathe in carbon and store that in the wood, here salt marshes are doing that as mud."So the mud here is just as important for climate mitigation as trees are."WWF has published its first year of findings in a report called The Importance of UK Saltmarshes. Unusually, this been co-published with an insurance company that is interested in understanding the role these sites have in protecting homes from coastal UK has lost about 85% of its saltmarshes since 1860. They were seen as useless land and many were drained for agriculture. Hesketh Out Marsh has been restored - bought by the wildlife charity RSPB and re-flooded by tide. Now, in late spring, it is teeming with bird life. A variety of species, including avocets, oyster catchers and black-tailed godwits, probe the mud for food and nest on the land between lagoons and researchers hope the findings will help make the case to restore and protect more of these muddy bufferzones between the land and the sea."The mud here is so important," explained Alex Pigott, the RSPB warden at Hesketh Out Marsh. "It's is like a service station for birds."With their differently shaped bills - some ideal for scooping and some for probing - marshland birds feed in the tidal mud."We know these sites act as a natural flood defences, too and that they store carbon," said Ms Pigott. "Any any of these habitats that we can restore will be a big win for nature."
