Volunteers clear brook to reduce flood risk

ByIsaac AsheEast Midlands and Ady DaymanBBC Radio Leicester

Volunteers took advantage of low water levels to shovel silt and prepare for the return of rain after previous flooding.

Homes and businesses in Syston suffered devastating winter floods in January 2024 and in 2025.

So 19 members of Syston Community Flood Group donned their wellies in the middle of summer and took to Syston Brook to clear an estimated "two or three tonnes" of silt.

Volunteer Janette Hick told BBC Radio Leicester "Mother Nature won't go away", and urged residents to prepare their properties over these drier summer months.

In a day of action at Syston Brook, volunteers mucked in to shovel "absolutely solid" silt out of the concrete-bottomed channel, which was then removed by the Environment Agency.

Hick said: "It was a lot of hard work but we had fun, it was great.

"It's been quite fortunate this year because we didn't have any floods in January, thank goodness, for the first time in a couple of years.

"It was one of those jobs we'd have liked to have got done last year, but there was more water and a lot more stuff upstream that needed to be shifted first.

"It's trying to get to the bottom of it so that next year, crossed fingers, it won't be so bad."

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: "The Environment Agency works closely with local groups, and we value the input of those who help look after their watercourses.

"We removed 380 tonnes of silt from the brook in early 2025, and plan to return later this year to complete further works.

"We routinely inspect the channel and check for blockages that may cause a flood risk."

In addition, vegetation which could have ended up in the water was cleared, with 20 brown bins filled and handed to Charnwood Borough Council to compost.

A spokesperson for Charnwood Borough Council said: "We were happy to support this valuable community work in Syston and we are pleased that it was a success.

"Well done to everyone who was involved."

Hick said Syston residents could also do their bit by cleaning their gullies and drains now and again in autumn when leaves begin to drop and consider flood barriers, sandbags and tarpaulins for their properties.

She said: "We need people to not be complacent. Mother Nature won't go away.

"Have a look what you've got on your doorstep. If you just think we got away with it this year, we'll probably get away with it again - that's not the case.

"If the deluge comes down, we could be caught out."

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