Volunteers clear brook to reduce flood risk
With a hot summer drying out Syston Brook, volunteers have prepared the waterway ready for rain.
Syston Community Flood Group members braved the summer heat to clear debris from Syston Brook, aiming to reduce potential flood risks. The group removed an estimated two to three tonnes of silt from the concrete-bottomed channel in a single day of hard work. Volunteer Janette Hick emphasized the importance of residents preparing their properties for the upcoming rainy season, warning against complacency.
The Environment Agency had previously removed 380 tonnes of silt from the brook in early 2025, and they plan to return later this year to complete additional works. Charnwood Borough Council also supported the effort, handing over 20 brown bins filled with vegetation to be composted. Hick encouraged residents to clean their gullies and drains in autumn and consider flood barriers, sandbags, and tarpaulins to protect their properties.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
