Flooding fears have been raised after suspected illegal works in the River Clyde.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is appealing for information following two separate incidents of 'unauthorised river engineering' in South Lanarkshire.
The first happened in late summer last year and reportedly involved a large amount of gravel being extracted from the River Clyde at Lamington, between Biggar and Lanark.
Near the same location in April this year, work is also suspected to have been carried out on gravel deposits in the Clyde without authorisation.
The incidents are not believed to be connected.
SEPA believe both incidents could have serious short and long term consequences on the water environment.
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The works span a distance of approximately 500 metres, the scale of which "could have significant impacts on the river’s ecology, including fish spawning", SEPA said.
Altering the flow of a river can also lead to flooding issues both upstream and downstream, the environmental regulator added.
A SEPA spokesperson, said: “In response to reports from concerned members of the public, we are investigating and our field work showed visible tyre tracks from large vehicles by the river.
“Regarding both incidents, the work is likely to have taken place across a number of weeks and we’re confident someone in the local area would have seen it happening. They may have noticed large diggers or other heavy machinery, but perhaps did not suspect any foul play.
We are appealing for information relating to two separate incidents of unauthorised river engineering at Lamington, South Lanarkshire occurring last year and April 2023, involving a large amount of gravel being extracted from the river Clyde.
— Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) (@ScottishEPA) June 27, 2023
Read more https://t.co/p1pUQKYq1W pic.twitter.com/CAuFjOazaR
“We would strongly encourage those people to get in touch so we can hold whoever is responsible to account and hopefully prevent this from happening again.”
Under The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011, it is an offence to carry out engineering activities without the appropriate authorisation, and any individual or business found to have done so will be subject to enforcement action. This could include a penalty of up to £40,000.
A spokesperson for South Lanarkshire Council told The Herald: "We are working with our colleagues at SEPA in respect of this matter."
The illegal river works come amid a 'significant' increase in building costs due to a rise in the price of building materials and declining availability.
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The average cost of materials used in all types of work across the construction sector rose by 4.7% in April 2023 compared to the same month in the previous year. This followed a larger increase of 8.7% in March 2023 compared to March 2022.
These rising costs have been put down to the declining availability of materials such as brick and blocks, and the rising costs of concrete, insulating materials and sand.
Meanwhile, SEPA is continuing to investigate reports of sewage being illegally dumped on the Isle of Bute.
Last month, the environmental regulator issued an appeal for information from the local community after septic tank waste was found disposed of in a woodland near Loch Quien.
SEPA said it has received anonymous complaints on three separate occasions since November 2021.
Benedict Tustin, Senior Environment Protection Officer at SEPA, said: “We’re asking members of the public to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to SEPA, such as unusual vehicle movements, or information on companies or persons known to be offering a septic tank service in the area.
“Bute has a close-knit community, and we believe someone on the island will have information that will assist our enquiries. We are urging them to do the right thing and come forward in confidence.”
Councillor Kieron Green, Policy Lead for Planning and Regulatory Services said: “The illegal disposal of waste materials can have serious consequences not only to public health but also to wildlife and the landscape. If you’re out and about near Loch Quien and witness any suspicious behaviour, please help stop this irresponsible behaviour and contact SEPA.”
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