Police investigate possible harm to water voles

Water voles are listed as rare and threatened

Police are investigating a public body over potential harm to water voles and their habitats.

The Environment Agency asked the Trent Valley Internal Drainage Board to cut weeds and de-silt parts of the River Smite in Nottinghamshire last year following complaints from residents and businesses about flooding.

But a week after the work began, the agency visited, ordered it to be halted and told the drainage board to refer itself to police for a potential breach of environment regulations.

The board strongly denies causing harm to water voles, a protected species, and the surroundings.

Water voles are protected under Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and are listed as rare and threatened under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act.

The Environment Agency said while it was not clear if water voles were present at the time of the work - because a survey had not completed - their presence could not be ruled out.

The agency is responsible for maintaining the River Smite.

After complaints from residents and local farmers, the agency commissioned the drainage board to remove obstructions from 4km of the river to improve capacity and water flow.

In November, work started on 2km of the watercourse at Thoroton.

The River Smite drains the Vale of Belvoir

On 5 November, work was stopped halfway through after a routine visit from the agency.

The drainage board said its contractor worked to a detailed scope of works, set by the agency, which included not working on parts of the river bank that could have water voles.

Board chairman John Miller said: "We thought we were doing a good job, so it was a bit of a surprise when we got stopped.

"This is work that needs to be done on a regular basis and if you don't, you get problems with excessive flooding that is unnecessary."

But the agency said the work was more extensive than agreed, potentially causing damage to water voles and their habitats.

It advised the drainage board to self-report to the police, in line with the agency's policy.

John Miller said maintenance work was carefully carried out to mitigate damage to water vole habitats

In a further statement, the drainage board said it was "committed to protecting wildlife and maintaining the integrity of the River Smite's ecosystem".

It denied intentionally or recklessly damaging water vole burrows, but confirmed it had notified police of the incident.

Nottinghamshire Police has confirmed it is investigating but would not comment when contacted by the BBC.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency added: "Our officers are continuing to work with the Trent Valley Internal Drainage Board regarding the River Smite."

Andy and Liz Hall say flooding is getting worse every year

With the work paused, residents who live near the river said this year's flooding - the most recent incident of which occurred on 7 January - was the worst yet.

Andy and Liz Hall, from Aslockton, said their home had been hit by flooding five times since 2023.

Mrs Hall said: "Every time it rains, you think, 'are we going to have to move everything?' It's becoming an every year thing."

They believe keeping the river clear of weeds and silt is vital, and think animals are prioritised over people.

"Don't get me wrong, I love animals and I love to see the wildlife, I've grown up with it all my life but it makes me feel like they're [authorities] not bothered about us," Mrs Hall said.

The pair worry it will not be long before flood water gets into their house

A few miles away in Sibthorpe, Portland Fishing Lakes owner Mick Burton lost thousands of pounds in revenue after flooding on 7 January - the fourth time he had been affected in three years.

He says the water came from the River Smite.

"We had five to six feet of water in four to six hours, you can't believe it until you see it," he said.

The flood water blocked the road and prevented access to his business for five days - and he is still not able to fully open weeks later.

He says any delays to flood prevention work will have an impact.

''I'm not being funny but if we'd have been struggling, it would bankrupt you," he said.

"While that work wouldn't have stopped it, it would have helped, definitely."

Business owner Mick Burton says clearing out the River Smite will help ease flooding to his fishing lakes

John Miller, chairman of the board, said something needed to change to prevent flooding like this from happening again.

He added the incident had affected the board's relationship with the Environment Agency.

He said: "I mean, where do we go from here if we're going to get hindered like this?

"If we're going to get accused of doing excessive environmental damage, which I don't think we have, then it sours the relationship and that's not good for anyone."

The cafe at Portland Fishing Lakes was forced to close because of flooding in January