Our Dorking Team assisted Thames 21 in their fantastic work to help improve river and canal networks in London. We helped to prepare an Ecological Impact Assessment for an application to create a series of pools and swales that will be connected to the River Rom near the centre of Romford. The River has been straightened and culverted in numerous locations along its length which has led to experiencing dramatic changes to its water levels following periods of excessive rainfall. The purpose of the project was to create more natural overflow areas that would help to slow the flow of the river during flooding events, while also creating pools to store some of this flood water to create wetland habitats in the Rivers natural floodplain.
After helping them gain planning permission for this project, our Dorking Team provided ongoing advice on best practice working measures to prevent harm to protected species including reptiles and water voles. Here is some excellent drone footage taken by Thames 21 which shows the completed ground works immediately after completion.
FPCR are heading back to site later in 2023 to complete an updated walkover survey of the area to monitor how the habitats are establishing – we can’t wait to see how this exciting project progresses. Watch this space for updated photos!
We’re excited to also be working on other projects with Thames 21 and we look forward to continuing to help them with their amazing work to improve Rivers and Canals in London, helping biodiversity thrive in the UKs most urban landscape.
