Menu
The River Mease’s unique and typical features have meant that our work on the small river has evolved into a flagship project-our biggest Capital Work project to date. The 3-year project has been designed to slash pollution, but more importantly, we have worked to demonstrate that a river faced with complex challenges can recover. When given the chance, through stakeholders thinking big and collaboratively, the river can flourish once again.
This multi-year project had 2 distinct elements-river restoration and phosphate reduction funded through an innovative developer contribution scheme. The former targeted stretches of river with potential for activities to reconnect the river to the floodplain, increase habitat channel variation and improve the banks. The latter worked with landowners to reduce the risk of phosphates and silt reaching the river.
The River Mease suffers increased nutrient levels, from both rural and urban sources. It is also a nationally important Special Area of Conservation (SAC)site and a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Trent Rivers Trust recognised that a long-term coordinated approach was required. Funding is provided by the Environment Agency and from Developers via a Developer Contribution Strategy; this enables a major catchment-wide approach to engage with landowners to deliver capital projects. scheme.
In this project, we have worked closely with key partners including the Environment Agency, Severn Trent, local farmers, and Local Planning Authorities. Most importantly, it has meant working with landowners right from the start. Their commitment has been impressive. Out of 59 engaged landowners, 40 agreed to implement changes on their land. As a result, the Mease saw 7.65km of habitat restored, including 4.1ha of in-channel habitat improvements (close to the size of 6 football pitches), 13.12ha (18 football pitches) of wetlands, scrapes, and meadows, and 11ha (15 football pitches) of grassland under improved management. As part of a trial, 40ha of Maize (40 football fields) were undersown in 2020/21. We improved more than 1km of livestock tracks and installed 750+meters in fencing. This reduces sediment run-off and ensures that no unnecessary sediment enters the river due to livestock damaging the riverbanks. To further stabilise riverbanks, 500 trees have been planted.
Trent Rivers Trust is expecting to see a healthier more resilient river. The schemes we have implemented have been designed to solve multiple problems for wildlife, the river and communities. Re-profiled banks create better habitat conditions for fish and other species while reducing the risk of floods breaking through the channel. Undersown fields can boost profitability as soil is retained whilst reducing nitrogen and phosphate levels in the watercourse. A river that is given the space to meander, deposits more phosphate and flows more slowly. In the event of heavy rainfall events, it allows for better absorption and less water entering the main river, reducing flooding further downstream. An increase in wetland habitat acts in a similar way. It increases biodiversity, water quality and also acts as a flooding buffer.
Looking forward, we will continue to monitor the water quality of the Mease, as we are working to expand the scope of the project. Promisingly, our success of the last 3 years has been recognised with additional funding from the Environment Agency. As a Trust, we know that to make the biggest impact, changes are needed on a landscape-level over many years. Our ambition is to tackle pollution, habitat modification, and flood risk collaboratively and at scale. To this end, we are excited to begin this new chapter with the continued support of our catchment partners.
With thanks to our partners and funders
© 2024 Trent Rivers Trust. Website designed and developed by Studio Seventeen Ltd.
