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Dead fish reappear in waterway along the Ropewalk in Sandwich raising questions over desilting work earlier this year

Shocking new images have emerged of more dead fish in a Sandwich waterway despite desilting works at the beginning of the year.

Fisherman Andy Duncan has documented the number of lifeless fish he has encountered over the last two months with a collection of images.

Fishermen have counted up to 20 dead fish in the water Picture: Andy Duncan
Fishermen have counted up to 20 dead fish in the water Picture: Andy Duncan

He claims the dead fish in the algae-ridden waterway shows there is a still a lack of oxygen for wildlife despite £2,300 worth of desilting works which were carried out in January.

He is calling on Dover District Council, the River Stour Inland Drainage Board (IDB) and the Environment Agenc, who carried out the works, to re-investigate the issue and take action.

Mr Duncan, who has been fishing in the area for 25 years, said: "It was half-hearted attempt by the councils earlier this year and it's not worked. Lots of fish are continuing to die.

"The digger was far too small so it’s not really made much of an impact at all.

"We had to fight for it to be dug out back in 2004. They did with Mid Kent Fisheries in 2006 but they've left it to go down hill since.

Fishermen want the issue of dead fish along the Ropewalk in Sandwich investigated again Picture: Andy Duncan
Fishermen want the issue of dead fish along the Ropewalk in Sandwich investigated again Picture: Andy Duncan

"It's the same situation and no one is willing to take responsibility."

Ann Clemence has also raised concern and blames a lack of monitoring following the work in the January.

She said: "The stream oxygen levels have been compromised by reeds and weed.

"On August 19, there were 20 dead fish lying on the surface of the water.

"I assume other wildlife is at risk too like water voles.

"This problem arose in the same place last year but clearly despite significant action, then no further monitoring of the water, it has continued to take place.

"It seems extraordinary in the 21st century that an environmental breach of this nature has re-occurred."

A spokesman for Dover District Council said: "There has been an extreme heatwave again recently which coincides with the incident last year.

"The Council has spoken to the Environment Agency regarding viable solutions to try and improve the situation and hope to find a way forward shortly.

“Following the incident last year, the Council put a maintenance programme in place with the Internal Drainage Board and extensive desilting works were undertaken. The Council is working closely with the IDB to bring forward a programmed reed cutting.”

The Environment Agency has also been contacted for a comment.

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