Wessex Chalk Streams Project

The River Avon is one of the most biodiverse chalk streams in the UK and an exceptional part of the Wessex region, which is characterised by a unique wildlife community suited to the unusual geology.

The international importance of the river and its major tributaries is recognised by its designation as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), reflecting the river’s rare habitats and species, including flowing water vegetation (Ranunculus, water-crowfoot), populations of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar), Bullhead (Cottus gobio), Desmoulin’s Whorl Snail (Vertigo moulinsiana), as well as Brook Lamprey (Lampetra planeri) and Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus).

The river is also important for the Water Vole (Arvicola terrestris) and Otter (Lutra lutra) , which are both making a good recovery following years of decline.

The Wessex Chalk Streams Project (WCSP) is a partnership between the Trust, Natural England, the Environment Agency, Wessex Water and the Wiltshire Fishery Association. 

The project acts as a ‘one stop shop’, working with riparian landowners and managers to promote wildlife-friendly river enhancement and management of the Salisbury Avon in Wiltshire, which includes the tributaries, Wylye, Nadder, Till, Bourne and Ebble, as well as associated wetlands and areas suitable for wetland restoration.

Chalk streams are vulnerable to a variety of threats including excessive water abstraction, physical modification, pollution and unsympathetic fisheries management. Much of the project’s work focuses on restoring river and wetland habitats, while helping to reach targets under the Wiltshire & Swindon Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) for rivers and streams, Wessex Water’s BAP, as well as national UK targets for chalk rivers and species, such as Water Vole and Otter.

The WCSP has helped to facilitate nearly 40 river habitat enhancement projects using an array of innovative and ambitious restoration techniques.

The WCSP works closely with other initiatives within the catchment and has played an integral role in helping to develop two other substantial projects now underway, the STREAM and Living River Projects.

STREAM

STREAM - Strategic Restoration and Management of the River Avon SAC is a £1 million project centred on the River Avon and Avon Valley in Wiltshire and Hampshire and supported financially by the EC LIFE Nature Programme.

The project began in 2005 and its key objectives include to demonstrate and monitor river restoration at six sites covering 7km, as well as to hold a series of public open days to raise awareness of the river system in the local community.  

Living River

The Living River Project is another exciting £1 million project and is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. It aims to raise awareness and appreciation of the River Avon and its tributaries.

It focuses on how the special wildlife of the river has developed alongside the history of the area.

Working with local communities from the rivers' headwaters in the Wiltshire Downs to the sea at Christchurch, the project will involve people who live and work in the River Avon catchment in the conservation of its natural heritage.

One of the key biodiversity objectives for the LRP is the establishment of a non-native invasive plants strategy for the River Avon. The WSCP is leading on its delivery. Click here for more information

The Strategic Framework for Restoration of the River Avon System

This is a project that builds upon the successes of the WCSP and STREAM to develop a strategy for restoration of the whole of the River Avon System SSSI. Contractors Halcrow and Geodata Institute (University of Southampton) have been appointed to review the historic information and to undertake a geomorphological audit of the river. This forms the basis for a ‘strategy’ to restore the River Avon to a naturally functioning and self sustaining river system that exhibits the full rage of characteristic habitats that benefit the distinctive chalk stream flora and fauna. This strategy was published in October, following public participation. It will provide the overview against which future restoration projects can be assessed and prioritised. Click here for more information

Restoring a River

The WCSP is restoring part of the Salisbury Avon at Chisenbury, south of Pewsey, watch the video below to see the works already carried out

Throughout October you can follow the progress of the restoration work by visiting the blog spot on the Living River website, where Ruth Clarricoates will be posting updates on the progress of the work and providing weekly photos.

Volunteer River Monitoring Scheme

The WCSP jointly coordinates the county-wide volunteer river monitoring scheme with the Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre. River monitors gather information from various sections of Wiltshire's rivers and streams, including invertebrate sampling, recording invasive plants, riparian mammals and birds, as well as monitoring restoration sites. New volunteers are always needed and full training will be provided.

Contact details

For more information regarding the WCSP, becoming a volunteer river-monitor or to receive the newsletter please contact:

Wessex Chalk Streams Project Officer
Natural England
Prince Maurice Court
Hambleton Ave
Devizes
Wiltshire
SN10 2RT
Tel: 0300 060 4005 

Use the email form below to contact the project officer.

Wessex Chalk Streams Project Newsletter

The Project produces a newsletter twice a year. They can be downloaded below.

Winter 2009
Spring 2009
Autumn 2008
Spring 2008