Hi All

The Cambridgeshire Lodes are once again under threat! These historic waterways, probably of Roman origin are in a "new" plan by the National Trust to extend the Wetlands of Wicken Fen. This will involve lowering the Lodes, thus transforming them into internal drainage ditches.

We successfully fought this issue 30 years ago. This is completely unacceptable for all anglers.

The Lodes hold specimen fish of all species and are ideal waters on which to teach youngsters. These small waters have special memories for many of us and must NOT BE destroyed.

I urge all anglers to support this cause by signing the online "DON'T DITCH OUR LODES" E-petition to No.10 Downing Street, using the link below:

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/OurLODES/

and reads as follows:

"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to ensure that the Cambridgeshire Lodes don't get ditched!
Some 30 years ago, a successful campaign was waged to save The Cambridgeshire Lodes, ancient canals of probable Roman origin - principally Bottisham, Swaffham Bulbeck, Reach, Burwell and Wicken Lodes - which were threatened by the then authorities. A decision was made to maintain and to preserve The Lodes. Such is the situation today: The Lodes have been maintained and preserved. But new documents indicate that The Environment Agency has commissioned a 'scoping report' costing some £200,000 and that it is looking critically at The Lodes, an option again being that of converting all or some of them into ditches. The old campaign slogan - 'Don't Ditch Our Lodes!' - is just as relevant now as it was in the 1970s. A new factor is The National Trust's plans to buy up and partially to flood some 10,000 acres of rich fen land and the Trust says that 'lowering' some of The Lodes would be 'acceptable.' Lowering is much the same as ditching. The Swaffham Internal Drainage Board and Swaffham Prior Parish Council support The Lodes being maintained. But the Philistines could be triumphant if their opponents are inactive. So, this is a call to those with influence to use it!"

My friend, Geoffrey Woollard, a retired County and District Councillor, is coordinating opposition to this plan, but we need help from as many anglers as possible.

WE URGENTLY NEED AS MANY ANGLERS AS POSSIBLE TO OPPOSE THIS PLAN QUICKLY.

The Lower Great Ouse and Fenland Fisheries Consultative Committee, on which I serve, are to oppose this at the highest level.

Chris, Press Release etc. would be important as discussed.
Dave, can something go on the PAC Website.
Mark, can you sort something out for the P/Predator Forum, and Carp Anglers you know who fish the Lodes.
Neville, an entry in the PAC magazine.

I thank everyone in anticipation.

Denis Moules
PAC Liaison Officer, Anglian Region

Signed

Read the Government's response

The Cambridgeshire Lodes carry water across the low lying fens into the River Cam. The Lode embankments have failed in a number of places in recent years because of seepage and the nature of the soils on which they are constructed. As a result the Environment Agency (EA) have undertaken costly emergency repairs.

The EA is currently in the process of developing a strategy for the future maintenance of the Lodes and their embankments. This will have to take into consideration the National Trust's long term plan to extend Wicken Fen. Wicken Future Fen aims to create a huge new wetland nature reserve over much of the area through which the Lodes flow. This is going to change the land-use in the area and increase groundwater levels.

The EA currently justifies funding for maintaining the Lodes embankments on the grounds of providing flood protection to a few properties and the surrounding fen agricultural land. However, as the National Trust changes the agricultural land to wetland the EA believes it will be increasingly difficult to justify this expenditure. In addition the higher groundwater levels are likely to increase the risk of embankment failures.

As the Wicken Fen project is still in development, the strategy the EA is developing cannot yet set out detailed recommendations for the future maintenance of the Lodes. The EA recognises the high amenity value of these lodes and has consulted widely on a broad range of preliminary options to give interested parties the opportunity to present their views. The EA's initial study is due to be completed by the end of this year and further consultations will take place before any conclusions are reached.

I've signed up Mark

Yup, i did too back in July!