A barrister who organized a volunteer clean-up of the River Roding is now facing the possibility of prosecution for doing so without an environmental permit.
Here's what went down:
Paul Powlesland, 40, who lives on a houseboat along the river, spent £1,000 to hire a digger and led a group of volunteers from the River Roding Trust in clearing out over 200 bags of trash—everything from packaging and needles to household appliances and even weapons—from a section of the river back in March. Just days after their efforts, the Environment Agency informed him that he was under investigation for operating without a license. This offense could lead to a maximum of two years in prison and might jeopardize his career as an environmental lawyer.
Location: River Roding, near Alders Brook.
Powlesland believes the clean-up has already revitalized the waterway, pointing to the return of irises, reed beds, fish, dragonflies, and herons. He’s determined to keep the momentum going and has urged the Environment Agency to support volunteers instead of prosecuting them, stating, "Fight us, or come on board with us."
He also expressed concerns about a nearby sewage outlet operated by Thames Water, claiming it frequently discharges into the river upstream of the area they’ve restored.
What the Environment Agency has to say: "We appreciate communities taking initiative to enhance their local environment, but performing work without the necessary permits is not acceptable... to ensure that such actions do not lead to unintended harm."
Thames Water's response: The outlet functions within the limits set by the Environment Agency as a legally permitted overflow system, designed to prevent sewage from backing up into homes during heavy rainfall.
(Image: James Linsell Clark / SWNS )