Following Parliamentary Questions from Oliver Heald, the Environment Minister, Phil Woolas MP, has asked the Environment Agency for a report into the condition of the chalk rivers in Hertfordshire, particularly the Rivers Beane and Mimram.
Commenting, Oliver Heald said, “I have been pressing the case for a proper review of the condition of the chalk rivers in Hertfordshire over many months. The fact is that the River Beane is running dry north of Watton-at-Stone and the Mimram is struggling. We live in a water-stressed area and I would like to see measures taken to increase the flow of both rivers and also to assess what can be done to improve the water situation in the County. It goes without saying that the Government’s grandiose schemes for development of our County do not help. However, I do welcome the decision of the Minister to ask for a formal report from the Environment Agency into this important subject.”