PROJECT

Uplifting the Upper Cray

The South East Rivers Trust (SERT) is embarking on an exciting mission to transform a 1.4km stretch of the Upper Cray. Flowing through Riverside Gardens in Orpington and St Mary Cray, the project concludes at Mill Brook Road, upstream of Broomwood Lake. This initiative aims to breathe new life into this historically modified river, tackling pollution, low flow levels, and ecological challenges that prevent it from thriving as a chalk stream should.

A stream of water with yellow and brown gravel beneath surrounded by banks of green vegetation. A section of the Upper Cray River © South East Rivers Trust

  • Project starts

    2025

A river in need

Spanning 14.5km, the River Cray bears the marks of industrial modification, pollution, and diminished flow, all of which hinder its ability to support diverse wildlife. Currently failing ecological standards for chalk streams, this watercourse requires urgent attention.

In collaboration with local partners and the Environment Agency, SERT seeks to restore the river and achieve Good Ecological Potential by 2027, aligning with the Cray and Shuttle Catchment Plan’s objectives.

This ambitious project is backed by the Mayor of London in partnership with the London Wildlife Trust, with additional funding from Bromley Council’s Platinum Jubilee Parks Fund and Thames21’s Empower Rivers Community Grant.

A section of the wetlands in Bromley that has received London Mayor funding

Cherished local space

The Upper Cray is more than just a river; it’s a beloved part of the community. Riverside Gardens and its wetlands, designated as priority habitats, are treasures for both residents and wildlife. The project’s ultimate goal is to create a healthy ecosystem capable of reintroducing native fish species, improving water quality, enhancing habitats, and removing barriers that hinder migrating species.

Local volunteers, led by CRA20TEN, will play a pivotal role in this transformation. With their experience in pollution assessment, cleanups, and restoration, these dedicated groups are vital to the project’s success. The initiative also aims to inspire future generations by engaging schools and fostering a robust volunteer base to care for the area long-term, in partnership with the London Borough of Bromley.

Improving wetlands and combatting pollution

Reedbeds, rivers, and streams are recognised as priority habitats under the London Environment Strategy, which calls for creating and restoring these areas. Wetlands, as nature-based solutions, are particularly effective in improving water quality and mitigating pollution.

The Riverside Gardens wetland will be revitalised through re-profiling to create diverse water depths and reconnecting the wetland with the River Cray. This includes:

  • Sediment Management: A sediment trap will prevent road runoff from overwhelming the wetland and protect downstream fish populations.
  • Planting Native Species: Volunteers will plant a variety of native plants to absorb excess nutrients, support wetland animals like dragonflies, damselflies, amphibians, and birds such as the native Kingfisher.

Restored wetlands will not only benefit local wildlife but also sequester carbon, contributing to climate change mitigation. By addressing invasive scrub and redirecting outfall flows, these wetlands will become a cornerstone of the local ecosystem’s resilience.

A kingfisher on the river

Weirs and habitat restoration

Beyond wetlands, the project will improve over a kilometre of river habitat downstream. Riverside Gardens, a cherished green space, will benefit from:

  • Weir Assessments: Structures like Snelling Weir currently obstruct fish and other species. Plans will be developed to make these barriers passable, enhancing ecological connectivity and enabling wildlife to access the full length of the river.
  • In-Stream Restoration: Small-scale interventions will enhance flow diversity and habitats, benefiting aquatic life and creating a dynamic, thriving ecosystem.
Notching a weir to allow fish passage © South East Rivers Trust

A vision for the future

Through these efforts, Riverside Gardens will become home to a healthier, better-connected chalk stream, ready to support the reintroduction of native fish species. Improved connectivity will also facilitate the dispersal of other species, such as invertebrates, creating a resilient river system capable of withstanding pollution and climate change challenges.

Join us as we uplift the Upper Cray, transforming it into a vibrant river that nurtures both nature and community. Sign up to our newsletter for project updates and to find out about the latest volunteering opportunities.

A chalk stream on the River Darent

Thanks to our supporters

A black box with the image of a badgers head in white, and white writing that reads London Wildlife Trust
A green stripe with white writing in the middle, in a hand written font, that reads 'Bromley' and green writing in a print format underneath that reads 'The London Borough'
Thames21

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