May 2024
Project Spotlight – Thriving Waters
Thriving Waters is a newly-formed programme to improve the ecological status, health, and resilience of the Siston Brook and River Boyd sub-catchments that are both in South Gloucestershire. South Gloucestershire Council is working with partners to scope out the programme of work for future delivery.
The Siston Brook is a heavily modified catchment, with extensive straightening, over-widening, re-sectioning, and reinforcement of the rivers. This causes a range of issues, such as reduced biodiversity, reduction in flow diversity, degradation of in-stream habitat, and reduced resilience to climate change and pollution events.
Thriving Waters’ initial stage was carried out in late 2023, with the Siston Brook Blue Opportunities Report. Through various walkover surveys, the report identified habitat restoration and creation opportunities - with a particular focus on nature-based solutions and natural flood management - along the Siston Brook and its tributaries. The report also looked to highlight any water quality issues, including mapping the Combined Storm Overflows (CSOs).
BART volunteers undertaking a Riverfly training course. Photo credit: Bristol Avon Rivers Trust
A total of 25 CSOs were mapped across the Siston Brook catchment, as well as any invasive species, which can out-compete native plants and overshadow watercourses, negatively impacting biodiversity.
A total of 15km of river and terrestrial habitat was surveyed, and the main challenges facing the catchment were outlined and coupled with opportunities for improvement. These opportunities include up to 8 hectares of tree planting, over 4.5km of river restoration opportunities, up to 6 hectares of wetland creation, and 16 weir removals or easements. Opportunities to involve the community and increase engagement, greater participation in outdoor recreation, and citizen science were also identified.
A field which was identified as a wetland opportunity. Photo credit: Bristol Avon Rivers Trust
The report provided an excellent baseline of data to inform future delivery in the coming stages of the Thriving Waters programme.
We look forward to supporting the development of the programme and the benefits that it will bring to the water environment within South Gloucestershire.
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Catchment news
Trout in the Trym Community Group video
Last year, the Partnership visited and interviewed Peter Coleman-Smith, Coordinator of Trout in the Trym Community Group.
Peter spoke about the group’s incredible work on the River Trym and Hazel Brook, issues and pressures facing the river, as well as the group’s future plans to involve more communities in their local blue spaces and increase their work on river.
A video of about the group has now been published on YouTube, which can be accessed here.
Celebrating Mental Health Week at Folly Farm
Spending time in green spaces and being in contact with nature has been shown to improve mental health, with significantly higher work engagement reported from those with higher exposure to nature.
Folly Farm, a fully sustainable and eco-friendly venue, offers a range of conference spaces for businesses. Based in 250 acres ancient woodland and wildflower meadows, the farm champions its connection with nature, perfect for team-building and mindfulness activities for teams.
To learn more, visit the Folly Farm website here, or read their Mental Health Week newsletter here.
Wessex Water Investment
Investment to protect the River Frome - Frampton Cotterell
Wessex Water are investing £5m across three projects in Frampton Cotterell to protect the River Frome from outdated storm overflows.
Nearly 900,000 litres of new underground storage will be built to ensure the network can cope with increased levels of stormwater after heavy rainfall and hold it until the storm has receded and the water can be safely returned to the sewer system.
The project is part of nearly 100 improvement schemes taking place across the Wessex region, with £3m a month being spent by Wessex Water to reduce the impact of storm overflows on the environment.
Project to protect the River Avon completed
Wessex Water’s £2m project in Bradford on Avon has been completed on schedule.
The seven-month scheme involved the construction of a 160,000 litre below-ground storage tank to reduce untreated wastewater being released through storm overflows. The new tank will allow water to be stored and returned to the sewer system when safe to do so.
The project was one of 13 prioritised projects to tackle storm overflows that discharge most frequently.
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust – Blue Influencers
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust have announced their new “Blue Influencers” project, aiming to connect young people aged 10-14 to their local blue spaces.
Running in Salisbury and Trowbridge, the project will be carried out across 18 months, and aims to help young people create meaningful and lasting connections to their local waterways and give them a voice to make change in their community.
The project will be led by a “Blue Mentor”, joining a network of 22 Blue Mentors across the country.
To learn more about the project visit the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust website here.
Alternatively, you can contact JoshK@wiltshirewildlife.org to learn how you, or someone you know, can get involved.
Photo credit: Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
The Festival of Nature
The Festival of Nature returns to Bristol and Bath on 1st - 9th June 2024.
Entry to the festival is free, and offers over 70 in-person and online events, giving everyone the opportunity to learn about, connect with, and take action for nature.
To read more about the event and book your tickets, visit the Festival of Nature website here.
Photo credit: Festival of Nature
Conham Bathing Group - Thriving Avon Charter
Conham Bathing campaign group are putting together a charter, the “Thriving Avon Charter”, with the hope it will bring together politicians, landowners, and water companies to ensure nature can thrive throughout the River Avon.
The document will determine the rights of the Avon, and the responsibilities of the communities, organisations, and people in power that influence its quality and health.
Read more about the campaign here.
Severn Estuary Forum 2024
The Severn Estuary Partnership are returning with their annual event, bringing together the latest projects, research, and policy developments from all around the Severn Estuary. The forum will be held on Thursday 27th June.
Visit the Severn Estuary website here to book your tickets. Registration closes 20th June.
Surface Water Runoff and Sustainable Drainage Systems Animation
Funded by the Environment Agency, Bristol Avon Rivers Trust have published a short animation explaining how SDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) can help to "slow the flow" and help reduce and manage surface water run off.
Watch the animation on BART's YouTube here.
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Wider news
Record number of river barriers removed across Europe in 2023
2023 saw nearly 500 barriers removed across Europe, which was a 50% increase from 2022 – a record breaking amount. France took the number one spot, with 156 removals, whilst the UK removed 36.
Of the 1.2m barriers across Europe, 150,000 are believed to be out of date and potentially dangerous for those using the surround areas recreationally. Removing ineffective barriers can have a range of benefits for wildlife, such as migratory fish being able to reach breeding grounds, and varying water levels over the year, which can increase diversity in plants and animals.
The EU is currently proposing a nature restoration law, which would involve 25,000km of river being reconnected by 2030.
Read more about the removals on The Guardian here.
Flood Resilient Garden
It is estimated that around 5 million homes in the UK are at risk of flooding. With our changing climate, this number has only increased, and it is important to discover how we can help reduce the effects of heavy rainfall by making our gardens more resilient and able to cope with greater volumes of water.
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 have created their Flood Resilient Garden, showcasing how a garden can be both an enjoyable and beautiful space, as well as reduce flood risk and recover quickly after heavy rain.
Read more about the garden on the RHS website here, or on Naomi Slade’s website here, who designed the garden.
New multi-million pound action plan launched to protect the River Wye
Up to £35m is being funded towards the River Wye Action Plan, which will establish long-term plans to restore the river for future generations and tackle issues with pollution.
The announcement comes after the River Wye Special Area of Conservation (SAC) was downgraded to “Unfavourable – Declining”. Measures include improved manure maintenance, promoting soil and nutrient retention in local fields, providing £1.5m of development funding towards Landscape Recovery Projects, and working with partners in academia and agriculture to produce new evidence on how farmers can mitigate pollution.
The action plan has also involved appointing Anthea McIntyre CBE as “River Champion” to bring forward an understanding of the local issues relating to the water environment.
Read more about the River Wye Action Plan here.
Photo credit: Gov.UK
Funding to support farmers affected by flooding
The government have announced the Farming Recovery Fund to support farmers who have suffered damage from flooding, with grants between £500 and £25,000. The fund will initially open in local authority areas where the Flood Recovery Framework has already been activated – areas where farms have experienced highest levels of flooding.
Farmers have already been able to gain funding through the Flood Recovery Framework, however this fund only granted up to £2.5k.
The announcement comes after the Met Office naming 2023 the 6th wettest year since its records began in 1836.
Read more about the Farming Recovery Fund here.
Farming Rules for Water
Farming Rules for Water were introduced by Defra in 2018 and outline how farmers and landowners should manage soil and livestock to prevent and reduce diffuse water pollution.
The Environment Agency is responsible for enforcing farming rules, giving advice and guidance to farmers, and carrying out farm inspections. There have been around 8,000 farm inspections over the past 4 years, and with the results in, the Environment Agency is now looking at the top breaches of Farming Rules for Water – lack of recent soil testing and no nutrient management plan.
Soil testing is an incredibly vital took to understanding levels of phosphorous and nitrogen and informing the use of nutrients more accurately. Not only does this potentially save money, but also has a positive effect on the environment.
Read more about Farming Rules for Water here.
Photo credit: Gov.UK
Proposed ban on wet wipes containing plastic
From 14th October to 25th November 2023, a consultation was held by the UK Government to determine whether there should be a ban on the manufacture, supply, and sale of wet wipes containing plastic.
The consultation comes after multiple bans on single-use plastic items across the UK over the past few years, such as plastic cutlery, microbeads in rinse-off personal care products, and certain types of polystyrene cups and food containers. Results of the consultation indicated that 95% of the overall responses either agreed or strongly agreed with the proposed ban.
The ban would also apply to "safe to flush" wet wipes containing plastic.
Read more about the results of the consultation here.