Paul Powlesland, a 40-year-old environmental lawyer, lives on a boat on the River Roding in east London. For years, he asked for Alders Brook, a tributary full of trash, sediment and accumulated waste, to be cleaned up, but he did not get the response he expected.
In February 2026, he decided to act alongside River Roding Trust. In 10 days, the team removed more than 200 bags of trash, branches, mud and waste from the brook. The removal of abandoned objects and hazardous materials was also reported. Shortly afterward, the water began flowing again and signs of life such as fish, herons and dragonflies returned.
The Environmental Agency sent him a warning over unauthorized works and possible damage to the ecosystem. Paul argues that no one acted before. The brook was left cleaner, but the case file also remained open.
