PROJECT

Restoring the River Wandle at Culvers Avenue

The River Wandle, one of just 200 chalk streams in the world, is renowned for its shallow, fast-flowing, crystal-clear waters that support an incredible diversity of wildlife. However, like many chalk streams, the Wandle faces significant threats from human pressures, including overdevelopment and pollution, leading to poor water quality and reduced biodiversity.

The South East Rivers Trust (SERT), in collaboration with local communities, is working to restore a 280m stretch of this river to create significant benefits for both people and wildlife. This ambitious project aims to reinstate natural processes, improve habitat diversity, and enhance the river’s ecological function.

  • Project starts

    2025

A collaborative effort for restoration

Culvers Avenue, the western channel of the Wandle, faces many challenges. The over-wide channel has slow-moving water, allowing sediment to smother the natural gravel riverbed. Clean gravel is essential for fish spawning and supporting a thriving community of river invertebrates. Additionally, large trees lining this stretch of the stream block out light, preventing the growth of vegetation within the river and along its banks. This lack of vegetation reduces vital food, habitat, and refuge for wildlife.

Currently, the channel bed is uniform, lacking the natural riffle and pool sequences vital for a healthy river ecosystem. By reworking the bed to introduce varied depths, the project will create diverse habitats to support a range of aquatic species. This initiative builds on earlier, small-scale interventions by local residents, who used large woody material to create pinch points and increase flow variety.

River Wandle © South East Rivers Trust

Key restoration techniques

  • Channel narrowing: Using natural materials, the channel will be narrowed to increase flow speed and energy, preventing sediment build-up and improving conditions for fish and invertebrates.
  • Tree works: Selective tree management will allow more light to reach the water and banks, encouraging the growth of vegetation that provides essential food and shelter for wildlife.
  • Flood risk management: Independent flood modelling conducted by Thomas Mackay Ltd has confirmed that these restoration works will not increase local flood risks to properties.
Tree works © South East Rivers Trust

Engaging the community

Community involvement is at the heart of this project. SERT will host a variety of events, including public consultations and volunteering opportunities, to ensure local residents can play an active role in the restoration process. Sign up to the SERT newsletter to receive project updates, info about upcoming events and volunteering opportunities.

By collaborating with local residents and stakeholders, the project aims to create a sustainable and thriving chalk stream habitat that benefits both wildlife and the people who cherish this unique natural resource.

Get Involved

Have questions or want to get involved? Reach out to the project team at culversavenue@southeastriverstrust.org.

Pennywort Management at Morden Hall Park © South East Rivers Trust

Thanks to our supporters

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