BUILDER Kevin Wendt, of Abacus Construction based at Tonedale, has raised fears over the potential for flooding this winter caused by naturally-created blockages in the River Tone.

Mr Wendt, who used to be an open water swimmer, has swum and paddled along the river and found fallen trees and branches holding up the water.

He said: “The river from Tonedale to Bradford-on-Tone is damned, blocked up with trees and this, that and the other in seven or eight places.

“If it rains the river could flood as the water builds up and can’t get out.”

He added that he had spoken to an Environment Agency representative who was keen to help but was told that although the agency knew about the issue, keeping the river clear was the responsibility of farmers and not the agency.

Mr Wendt added: “Tonedale and Bradford-on-Tone flood reasonably often because the river is blocked. Two blokes and a machine could clear one of the blockages in a couple of days.”

He hopes people walking along the river will photograph and report any blockages they spot.