A blocked and rubbish filled river has raised concerns of infestation and flooding.

Last week The Guardian reported on the state of Cornmill Stream in Waltham Abbey, which has become "bunged up and in dire need of surgery".

In the wake of the story loyal reader and dog walker Paul Jenkins got in touch to lament the state of another river.

He said: "I walk my dog along the River Roding in Oakwood Hill every day and would like to point out that the river has been poorly maintained for years.

"The reeds and trees have not been cut back nor the river cleared, and several places are blocked causing traps for rubbish to build up.

"Then we have a few days of rain, the river floods and bank damage is caused."

Mr Jenkins said that when he was a child Thames Water workmen would happily give fledgling fishermen floats they had found while cleaning out the channels.

He added: "Since I got my dog nine years ago I have walked around the River Roding and have never seen any maintenance or clearing.

"As we approach the winter, with leaves falling and heavy rain expected, as well as probably snow, this must now be a priority before the flooding comes again and we end up with rivers that are infested, unsafe and unclean."

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: "Within Epping Forest, we currently carry out an annual maintenance check of the River Roding from just upstream of Top-golf Chigwell and the Nuffield Health Centre, going downstream to the Redbridge Boundary. This is scheduled for December this year.

"A maintenance check involves our operational field teams walking the river, cutting back any overhanging vegetation to just above bank height or to allow reasonable access to the channel. They also remove woody debris from the channel to reduce the risk of snagging, and clear any blockages larger than a football. We carry out this maintenance to reduce property risk from flooding, while also allowing the river to act naturally and restrict flood flows downstream by temporarily storing flood water on the natural floodplain.

"Our permissive powers to carry out river maintenance are discretionary and are exercised according to resources available and the flood risk pertaining in any locality, as the legal duty to maintain a watercourse and its bank top rests with the Riparian Owner."

The Agencies 2018/2019 river maintenance work schedule can be found at environment.data.gov.uk/asset-management/index.html.