As previously reported on BW, the lower Cray beyond Maiden Lane bridge is suffering from the large amounts of litter that gets washed into it as a result of the bankside undergrowth in which it was trapped dying back during the winter, coupled with heightened water levels due to the increased rainfall at this time of year.
Cray Project Officer Michael Heath has scheduled an extra event on Friday 20th March to tackle the problem. Volunteers will launch the team’s boat, named the ‘Lady Cray’, to remove the floating rubbish towards Thames Road. There is also a lot of litter along the bank that needs clearing. If you can help meet at Thames21 Depot, (100m along Byway 106 walking from Barnes Cray Road towards Crayford) DA1 4NR at 10.30. Finish time will be around 14.30.
Michael said ‘If we don’t get this rubbish out of the river it will end up in the Darent, the Thames and then the North Sea and beyond. We’ve all seen the publicity about the huge issue of plastics and other litter in our oceans, and about how it gets broken down into tiny fragments and eaten by other organisms. Part of the next plastic bottle you see floating down our river may wind up in your fish and chips a few years hence! Much of this material is recyclable, and of course the best way of avoiding the problem is for people to be responsible about what they do with their waste in the first place.’
Michael Heath is looking for volunteers to help clear rubbish from the lower Cray on March 20th.
Ffi: Michael Heath, River Cray Project Officer, Thames21 Bringing Londons Waterways to Life. Mobile 07968805751. E mail michael.heath@thames21.org.uk
