The
Environment Agency has begun work in Newbury
to help improve the habitat of the river
Lambourn for wildlife. Over the next three
years, the public will notice a significant
improvement to the river. We will be monitoring
the fish populations to see how quickly
they improve and recording the changes in
vegetation. In the long term we may see
the return of otters and water vole to the
river.
The whole of the river
Lambourn is designated as a Site of Special
Scientific Interest (SSSI) which means that
it should support a variety of wildlife.
However, historic engineering projects –
including the building of mills has meant
that the character of the river within Newbury
has changed.
Fish, plant, insect
and mammal life along the river in Newbury
has declined in comparison to the river
upstream, where it is one of the premier
rivers in the UK for wildlife.
One of the most characteristic
and important species of the river Lambourn
is the Brown Trout, who rely on fast flowing
water, clear gravels, lots of in-stream
vegetation and good numbers of insect life
to eat.
However, the speed of
the water flowing through Newbury is much
slower than it would be naturally due to
the mills that hold the water back. Over
the years, the river has been significantly
widened and deepened causing the river to
be covered in a large, thick layer of silt.
The silt prevents characteristic vegetation
from establishing, smothers the clean gravels
(which is necessary for the female fish
to lay their eggs in), and reduces habitat
for insects.
The Environment Agency
has been working in partnership with West
Berkshire Council, Natural England, The
Pang, Kennet and Lambourn Valleys Countryside
Project and The Newbury Manor Hotel on a
joint plan to improve the river.
Practical work on the
project begins this week and will be completed
in two phases over a two year period. The
works will not increase flood risk to the
area.
The Environment Agency
will be lowering the weirs in the grounds
of the hotel, to encourage the river to
flow faster. They will also be putting in
fish passes which will allow fish to move
up from the river Kennet. Previously, this
would have been impossible.
This work should mean
that the river flowing through Newbury will
hold more fish. It’s not only good news
for trout but also for other species of
fish that will be able to move up from the
river Kennet. The faster flow will help
scour some of the silt off the bed and expose
clear gravels. Over time the gravel will
be colonised by plants.
As the weirs are being
lowered, the level of the river will drop
and the width will be reduced. This means
that some of the silty margins may be exposed
temporarily.
Newbury MP Richard Benyon
said: ”Over the next three years, you will
notice a significant improvement to the
river. We look forward to seeing this chalk
river flourish once again and become the
great haven for wildlife it has the potential
to be.
We hope to make the
river Lambourn in Newbury an amazing place
for wildlife and a fantastic resource for
the people of Newbury”.
Next autumn, Environment
Agency officers will move on to the river
upstream of the hotel to implement enhancements
to help the river adapt to its new dimensions.
+ More
Environment Agency complete
key flood protection scheme in Newbury
A joint project between
the Environment Agency, the Kennet and Avon
Canal Trust and British Waterways has just
been completed along the River Kennet.
The £150,000 project
will reduce the risk of flooding to 271
residential and commercial properties in
Newbury. The six week project saw the old
inoperable sluice structure - situated along
the River Kennet at Bone Mill, Newbury undergo
a complete revamp to improve its lifespan
and functionality.
The work involved the
repair of the concrete base and walls and
the infilling of areas where the structure
had previously been damaged by water erosion.
The concrete base was also extended and
gabions (a stabilising device) and sheetpiles
were installed to prevent future erosion.
These measures ensure that the structure
will have at least a 50-year lifespan.
A new single gate replaced
the old sluice and frame allowing increased
water capacity to pass through the structure,
allowing the water levels in the Kennet
to be lowered more quickly and reducing
the risk of flooding upstream. These improvements
will also enable the gate to be operated
quickly and safely.
The works also included
the replacement of the old concrete footbridge
with a new wooden one with user-friendly
features including hand railing and non-slip
surfacing. The new structure is also cycle-friendly.
Newbury MP Richard Benyon
said: ”I am very pleased the Environment
Agency, the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust
and British Waterways have completed the
work at Bone Mill. This river is a vital
part of West Berkshire and these improvements
will benefit people living in and around
Newbury for many years to come.
“In particular, this
work will help play a major role in controlling
the water flow, improving water quality
and alleviating flood risk in the area”.
