The campaign to see a lake dredged after persistent flooding has received a boost as moves start being made to sort out the problem - and Dorset Council admit the area is its responsibility.

Concerns have been raised that it's taken a few months for the council to confirm it was responsible for Radipole Lake in Weymouth.

Flooding has been an issue at the lake following a very wet autumn and winter with persistent spells of rain falling on already saturated ground, making river banks burst.

Town councillor Matt Bell started a petition to see the lake dredged of silt after the effects of Storm Ciaran in November.

He received support from the RSPB and the town's angling society. The RSPB is a tenant of Dorset Council at Radipole Lake and manages the bird reserve habitats.

At a February meeting of interested parties to investigate issues and see what can be done, Brian Richards, Dorset Council’s flood management chair, said he only became aware that Radipole Lake came under the responsibility of the council 'just before Christmas last year', and said the team were in the process of looking at studies and advising on viable ways forward.

Dorset Echo:

Cllr Bell, who did not attend the meeting, said he was ‘extremely disappointed’ that a petition was required to prompt actions from organisations in the management of the lake.

He said: “To hear that Dorset Council’s Flood Risk Management Team only became aware that Radipole Lake is their responsibility just before Christmas, following my petition and media coverage, is alarming.

“I don’t doubt the skills and aptitude of the staff members I have been dealing with for a moment, I simply wonder whether the systems they rely on have been suitably maintained and updated."

He said he was grateful authorities were coming together to discuss the issue - but thinks more needs to be done.

Cllr Bell added: “It never should have reached the point where we are playing catch up. We now need a long-term and sustained approach to management of both the environment and flood risk of the lake and river."

At the meeting, Matt Akers of the Environment Agency asked what the lake angling group were quoted to remove, by hand, an area of reeds and the rhizomes over five days. The estimated amount is £7,200. The society suggested Dorset Council pay for the work to be done.  

Mr Richards added that desilting work will cause ‘a lot of water pollution.’

Peter Robertson from the RSPB said the site could also lose its SSSI status as the lakes edges get shallower and the reeds encroach on the water.

According to Mr Robertson, the SSSI could lose its designation interest features in 10-15 years if nothing is done.

Dorset Echo: The meeting also revealed that a topographical survey had not been carried out across the lake, and that surveys indicate the level of silt in the lake has increased over the past 14 years.

Wessex Water, as owners of the surface water pubic sewer outfalls, will be approached and asked to look into clearing the outfalls.

Cllr Bell said: “The Environment Agency will now use hydraulic modelling of the River Wey and its floodplain to analyse intervention scenarios in the lake. The distribution of the removed silt has been discussed with potential for bund building around the lake, the creation of a new island in the lake or disposal at sea all being considered."

The Environment Agency, Natural England and Marine Management Organisation will all need to provide their consent before silt can be removed.

A spokesperson for Dorset Council said the first meeting was a starting point for the joint agencies to review the Water Level Management Plan. The next meeting is on Monday, March 25.