A RIVER watchdog body will be taking enforcement action against a homeowner whose unkempt area of river bank next to his property has blocked a section of watercourse.

A RIVER watchdog body will be taking enforcement action against a homeowner whose unkempt area of river bank next to his property has blocked a section of watercourse.

Middle Level Commissioners will be taking enforcement action against the property owner in Upwell who they say has filled in a watercourse next to his property.

Iain Smith, clerk and chief executive of Middle Level Commissioners, said the property owner has refused to take remedial action, despite requests by the Commissioners for him to do so.

It has left the commission with no choice but to serve a formal statutory notice requiring steps to be taken.

The notice will be served next week.

The property owner in Dovecote Road has told commissioners that he has only installed “bank side revetment” which are walls or structures put in place to hold a mass of earth or prevent the erosion of an embankment.

However, Mr Smith said that officers who went to the site and photographed the area, said it was clear he had in-filled the watercourse blocking the natural flow of water at Old Croft River.

“The Commissioners very much regret the need to take such action, the costs of which are recoverable from the property owner. “However, in this area, where day to day management of artificial watercourses is needed to contain and reduce flood risk, we are committed to do so, where circumstances are appropriate,” he said.