Welcome to the Environment Agency’s online consultation hub

As part of the ongoing work to improve Park Wood, the Environment Agency will be installing new way markers on the footpaths within the wood.

We asked your views on whether the proposed path routes were suitable for regular users of the woodland.

We received 76 responses in total. Of these responses, 72 were from individuals, 3 were from an organisation or group and 1 was from other. The responses we received have been summarised in the consultation response document.

We have reviewed all the responses we received from the consultation. We will:

• amend the route map to include suggested changes received during the consultation.
• put way markers up on the footpaths in the wood to ensure routes are clearly signposted, by July 2022. Only way-marked paths will be given a Public Safety Risk Assessment and appropriate actions taken when needed.  For example, removing dangerous branches/brush.
• investigate whether additional bridges would result in additional liability and, if so, whether this is something we would wish to take on. Subject to the outcome of our investigations, if the local community would be interested in raising funds for a bridge, we would be open to exploring this option.
• continue to explore further options for horse access within the wood.
• continue to explore a solution to the flooding problems in the wood together with our partners. And will carry out remedial work in April 2022 to try and address this issue.
• assess whether further improvements to the all-access track are needed.

Individuals who wish to follow up their responses, or points made within this document in more detail, are welcome to contact us at park.wood@environment-agency.gov.uk

We have worked together with lead local flood authorities (LLFAs) and other risk management authorities (RMAs) to produce draft flood risk management plans (FRMPs) for public consultation.  

FRMPs are strategic plans that set out how to manage flood risk in nationally identified flood risk areas (FRAs) for the period 2021-2027, and are statutory plans required by the Flood Risk Regulations 2009. 

This consultation ran from 11am on 22 October 2021 to 11:45pm on 21 January 2022.  

On 18 May 2022 we published a summary of responses.

We received 255 responses in total. The main themes you raised were:

• Partnerships – the value of working in partnership to plan and deliver flood risk management solutions.
• Engagement – the value of engagement and working in partnership with all organisations and government departments.
• Nature-based solutions – support for the implementation of nature-based solutions, including natural flood management techniques, so more biodiversity and environmental benefits can be delivered across the flood and water environment.
• Catchment-based approach – support for and a greater emphasis on this for flood risk management.
• Alignment - the need to align with other plans and strategies so delivery is effective, for example, local nature recovery strategies, and shoreline management plans.
• Land management – the need to consider all land uses, when assessing and managing flood risk, including the benefits of agricultural land.
• Climate change and adaptation – the importance of working together across all organisations to adapt and having better information on factors such as the carbon footprint of the measures.
• Funding – the need to identify funding and resources for the timely delivery of measures.
• Readability – the ability to find information in the plans and within flood plan explorer.

Responses received will now be analysed further to identify actions to take as result of the consultation and implement any changes needed in the FRMPs and to the associated Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).

We are also producing the Habitats Regulations Assessment and the SEA Statement of Environmental Particulars. We will publish the final FRMPs and accompanying materials in the autumn of 2022.

We asked you to give your views on:

• proposals for a revised boat registration charging framework
• a 3 year charging plan for 2022 to 2024
• proposals for new registration requirements for business boats
• potential future changes that may affect these customers

Your responses showed us:

• good support for the majority of our framework proposals
• strong opposition to the introduction of an area-based charge
• the current service is poor and does not meet your expectations
• opposition to our proposed charge increases over the 3 years of the scheme
• very good support for our proposals for new registration requirements for business boats
• valuable feedback and support for the topics raised in the forward look section

We have reflected on your feedback and amended our proposals to create the following actions:

• we will implement many elements of the charge framework as proposed and consulted including:
  • charging for unpowered open boats
  • concessionary charges for not-for-profit organisations and charities
  • simplified charges for tenders and introducing charges on the Medway Navigation
  • common charging for event registrations
  • charges for workboats and tugs
  • the approach for short period registrations, refunds and part year registrations
  • exemptions from charging for certain classification of boats
  • arrangements for boating trade
  • other charges
  • charges for business boats
• we will not implement the area-based charge on any of the waterways, we will keep the current charge mechanisms for powered and unpowered enclosed boats
• we will increase charges by 4% in 2022, 4% in 2023 and 2% in 2024

Our revised approach provides a much improved and consistent charging framework and will help to secure the necessary funds to cover the increasing cost of operating our waterways over the next 3 years. 

You can find our full summary of your responses in our consultation response document at consultation response documents.
We have also prepared the 2022 boat charging scheme for all waterways which you can find at national navigation (boat registration) charging schemes.

If you have any questions regarding our summary, please email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk or call us on 03708 506 506 (Mon to Fri 8 to 6).

Thank you for taking part in our consultation.