Brook is target for campaign (From Stroud News and Journal)

Brook is target for campaign

ACTION has been taken to clean up Ruscombe Brook - but campaigners say more work is needed.

Earlier this year Severn Trent Water modified its existing pipes running near the stream to try and reduce sewage leaks.

And British Waterways has agreed to de-silt as well as incorporate a section of water-cleansing reed beds at a lake at the Lawns, Cainscross - a feeder lake for the canal sited at the end of the brook.

But members of the Ruscombe Brook Action Group, which has campaigned for several years to rid their waterway of sewage, fear the problem may continue.

Zarin Hainsworth, RBAG chairman, says just repairing and restoring the pipes may be insufficient.

"We think there may be too much water in the system with rainwater going in with sewage and not soak-away," she said.

"And people are putting things down the toilet they should put in the dustbin.

"When there is heavy rainfall the pressure builds up, manhole covers have literally blown off and the waste shoots everywhere as well as just seeping out of pipes.

"And this goes into the land and down the water table as well as into the brook."

Speaking after a meeting with British Waterways at Ebley Mill last month, RBAG member Philip Booth said reed beds are a welcome, natural method of decontaminating water but said more are needed.

"Water experts are unanimous in their consideration that the best and most cost effective way to deal with the problems is to also do work further up the brook," he said.

Since Severn Trent's restorative work was carried out no leaks have been registered.

For more information, or to join the group visit www.rbag.org.uk, or call Philip Booth on 01453 755451.