The River Rom:Why Is This Beautiful Asset To Our Community Being Completely Neglected?

Local Romford Resident David Ainsworth today shares his views on our River Rom and its complete neglect.

The River Rom should be one of our borough’s natural assets – but it isn’t owing to tolerated neglect.  It runs through unspoiled areas, such as open spaces west of White Hart Lane in Collier Row and should be appreciated.  It’s home to wild flowers, insects and birds and appreciated by dog walkers, amblers and ramblers. Official Public Footpaths 19 & 63 cross the area, which are well used as seen by their surfaces. Sadly now sees serious neglect. In recent years both public footpaths have, at times, become impassable owing to neglect and only re-opened after adverse publicity in a local paper. 

In the water I’ve reported many obstructions, including – as of now – many dumped supermarket trolleys, furniture, vehicle tyres, dumped wood, tree logs and much else – even a large stainless steel sink. In the an adjacent overspill lake I’ve reported a propane gas cylinder, a huge dumped barbecue unit and much discarded litter/rubbish. 

Most items are unmoved for approaching a year – all knowingly tolerated by Havering Council.  A lack of interest shown by Havering Council got so bad, I complained direct to the Environmental Agency, who oversee this river – they firmly responded by stating removal of rubbish, litter and dumped items is a responsibility of Councils whose areas their rivers pass through.  The River Rom suffers badly from graffiti.

Months’ after our last Council election a trio of Conservative Councillors attacked the Administration for this – conveniently forgetting to mention that most was there when their party formed the Administration. I wrote to them accusing them of opportunism. I’ve reported serious graffiti to Havering Council; the worst of which still isn’t removed over 3 years’ on – the reason being there’s not the budget to act.  Recently fire damage was done to trees and growth along Public Footpath 63.  Damage was doubled, and a bridge behind Crownfield School playing fields damaged, as fire crossed from east bank to west bank by growth on an uncleared fallen tree trunk across the River Rom, which I’d reported over 5 months before this occurrence.
One shouldn’t forget that twice in past decades serious Collier Row flooding occurred owing to the Romford Rom being blocked with floating debris and dumped objects  – all knowingly tolerated – just as the situation is now. 

Years ago was an organisation of public spirited citizens called “The Friends of the River Rom” as endorsed by Romford’s MP.  We need such a pressure group reforming to highlight these issues and promote much needed action.

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