Think before you flush as sewage gets stuck in trees on River Derwent after Matlock floods

The founder of Paddle Peaks, a group of Derbyshire paddlesport businesses, clubs and professionals, is calling on people to think about what their waste is doing to the environment.

Pete Astles said: “The trees are fully decorated with sewage pollution again. It’s all washed in from storm overflows after the extreme weather.

"Storm overflows were designed to be used during extreme weather to prevent sewers becoming overloaded with a combination of sewage and rainwater, releasing diluted wastewater into rivers rather than letting it back up into people’s homes.

"However climate change has led to increased rainfall and water infrastructure has not kept pace with development growth over decades.”

Paddle Peaks have also been thanked by Matlock Town Council for their efforts in helping to clean up the River Derwent.

A spokesman from Matlock Town Council said: “Matlock Town Council wish to extend their thanks to Paddle Peak for all the work they have done cleaning up the River Derwent since the flooding in November 2019.

"Hundreds of hay bales were washed downstream from Darley Dale, leaving the river strewn with black plastic, hanging in trees and on the banks of the river.

"Paddle Peak is a group of Derbyshire paddlesport businesses, clubs and professionals, founded by Pete Astles, and over the last 14 months their members have taken to canoes to remove the black plastic and other items of from the riverside.

"They have now cleared the area from the Arc Leisure Centre down to Cromford Bridge which is a fantastic achievement and Matlock Town Council is extremely grateful for their efforts.”

Pete said: “It’s such a massive achievement to clean all of the flood debris right down to Cromford. No one would take responsibility for this pollution in the river.

"It’s taken our group of passionate environmentalists to get in there and get it cleared out.”

For more about Paddle Peak visit www.paddlepeak.org.

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