Residents of Soham have expressed outrage after a swan tragically died when it became entangled in a stretch of river. 

Jen Wallis discovered the bird in distress after it had become trapped among a layer of brambles in The Lode on Sunday August 18. 

Ms Wallis called upon two neighbours who managed to free the bird, which was transported to Waterfowl Sanctuary in Godmanchester, but sadly died in transit. 

A spokesperson for Waterfowl Sanctuary said there were no visible injuries on the swan and it was "likely" it had drowned as a result of becoming entangled. 

Ms Wallis, 74, said the "appalling condition" of the river had "directly contributed" to the swan's death. 

She said: "I've lived in Soham for six years and in that time I've attempted to get someone to take responsibility for the appalling state of the Lode but no one will. 

"At some sections, including the area around the Old Mill and Dobede Way, the river is completely blocked and poses a risk to wildlife.

"Before Covid, I spent many months trying to track down who was responsible for the dredging and clearing of the Lode, but to no avail. 

She added: "The town council have done nothing because they claim it is not their responsibility and although the Environment Agency did show up some time ago with machinery, they claimed they couldn't access the river.

Ms Wallis said the Environment Agency, as a risk management authority, and Soham Town Council, should be responsible for maintaining The Lode. 

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency denied this, adding: "We are saddened to hear about the death of a swan.

"The Environment Agency is the Risk Management Authority responsible for flood risk management from designated main rivers and the sea however, this does not automatically entail maintenance responsibilities.

"This responsibility lies with Riparian owners who have a duty to maintain watercourse bed and banks.”

"Using our permissive powers, we do however conduct maintenance along Soham Lode including grass cutting and weed cutting. This maintenance programme has already begun and will continue throughout the year.”

The Ely Standard approached East Cambridgeshire District Council for clarification of the designated riparian owner.

A spokesperson confirmed that the land was privately owned by residential developer Taylor Wimpey. 

A spokesperson for Taylor Wimpey said there is "not a single body" responsible for maintaining the watercourse, but said that it carries out distilling and dredging works "every few years."

They added: "We are incredibly saddened to hear about the death of a swan in the Soham Lode. Preserving local wildlife is something that we take very seriously.

“We are one of many riparian owners of the Soham Lode, and carry out regular maintenance work to the area which is under our jurisdiction. This includes cutting back vegetation and maintaining banks, as well as dredging of the riverbed when there is a natural build-up of silt.”

“We have contacted the RSPB and DEFRA about the death of the swan, and have not yet ascertained the cause of the swan's death. As a precaution we have arranged for the area of the watercourse for which we are responsible for to be inspected for debris or unnatural obstructions."

Ms Wallis said: "The state of Soham Lode is a disgrace. It's almost blocked solid around the school bridge in College Road and from the back of my bungalow to the Old Mill is completely blocked.

"Over the years I've nagged the relevant agencies who each seemingly blame each other. Now, it is too late for this beautiful swan."

Soham Town Council said it had been "made aware" of the "dire state" of the The Lode. 

They said: "The Commons do not belong to the council but are privately owned and we have contacted the owners to raise these issues with them. 

"We will continue to raise these matters with both the Environment Agency and the landowners to try to get maintenance reinstated in these areas so that wildlife can flourish and the risk of flooding can be averted." 

A source close to the matter has since confirmed to the Ely Standard that the Environment Agency will be carrying out reed cutting in the "next couple of weeks". 

They said: "If the Environment Agency were not responsible, why are they reed cutting?"