DOCSLIB.ORG

Working Together to Improve the River Evenlode, by Helena Soteriou

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Working Together to Improve the River Evenlode, by Helena Soteriou Working together to improve the River Evenlode, by Helena Soteriou, Catchment Initiatives Programme Manager, Thames Water Managing the water cycle in England and Wales is a responsibility divided amongst many organisations, all with different regulatory systems, funding mechanisms and timeframes. But there are also thousands more community groups and businesses that depend on, benefit from, and interact with water on a daily basis. This can create a somewhat disjointed approach to how we take care of our rivers, making it much harder to maximise the value of the work we do individually. To overcome these hurdles, we must work together. Knowledge exchange event on soil health, FarmEd, Shipton under Wychwood Thames Water has set out an ambitious approach on how it wants to protect and enhance river catchments across its region. Called the ‘smarter water catchments’ initiative, it looks at the environment as a ‘system’ and involves organisations setting a vision and working in partnership. This project aims to make bigger and better improvements to our rivers than we could make as individual groups and organisations. More specifically, it involves the creation of a truly collaborative 10-year plan that will address multiple challenges, such as climate change, and co-deliver innovative solutions that make the most of opportunities on an even bigger scale. The River Evenlode catchment is one of the first areas to have co-developed a Smarter Water Catchment Plan. The catchment is home to some of the finest landscape in the country, several market towns, and unique habitats such as limestone grassland, which support a wide range of wildlife. However, the river environment at the heart of this has experienced issues with poor water quality; this has been as a result of sources of pollution as well as physical damage to surrounding habitats. River Evenlode below Ashford Bridge, North Leigh Members of the Evenlode Catchment Partnership (detailed below) have worked together and set out a plan for how they will protect and enhance this river. Over a period of six months, members from all the organisations were able to share their thoughts and ideas on how we could address these problems. We have identified four key themes and have worked up a detailed year-on-year action plan to help us deliver improvements to the overall river environment. Our plan can be found published on the Thames Water website and is broken down into: • Water quality and advocacy • Biodiversity, habitat and landscape • Natural Flood Management and resilience • Education, access and recreation Evenlode Catchment Partnership Vision, More than Minutes With initial funding from Thames Water, we have identified several activities throughout 2021/22 within these key themes. As an example, we will be expanding the existing Citizen Science sampling programme and providing equipment to volunteers to monitor nitrate (N), phosphorus (P) and turbidity. We plan to register an official ‘farm cluster’ in the area to contribute to the sustainable farming goals. We also have longer term aims of carrying out river restoration projects and installing wetlands to improve water quality and enhance biodiversity. Delivering this plan will require us to all work together. We are asking all interested parties to get involved and help us protect and enhance the Evenlode. If you would like more information, or would like to work with us, please contact [email protected] or visit the Evenlode Catchment Partnership website https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/b85878200d59479ab0217a9cc6f63c64 Evenlode Catchment Partnership members Atkins Berks Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) Blenheim Palace and Estate Catchment River Champions’ Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) Cotswolds Conservation Board Cotswolds Rivers Trust Daylesford Earthwatch Environment Agency Farm-Ed Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group - South West Forestry Commission Natural England Oxfordshire County Council RSK Sylva Foundation Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre Thames Water University of Oxford Upper Thames Fisheries Consultative West Oxfordshire District Council Wild Oxfordshire Windrush AEC Wychwood Project .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Case Study #. Evenlode Catchment Project
    Case study #. Evenlode Catchment Project Authors: Jo Old and David McKnight Main drivers: Flood risk (small rural communities), rural diffuse pollution (Water Framework Directive water quality failures) and habitat (Water Framework Directive fish failures) Project stage: Year 1 of a 5-year (2016 to 2021) Natural Flood Management project; first cycle of consultation and design for tributary interventions completed, with construction planned in 2017 Photo1&2: Natural Flood Management at Honeydale Farm and a woody dam in the Littlestock Brook Project summary: The River Evenlode, a headwater tributary in the Thames Basin (Map 1), is a flashy clay catchment with several small rural towns and villages prone to flooding. The Environment Agency is working with the Evenlode Catchment Partnership and local communities to develop and coordinate a 5-year project that integrates Water Framework Directive (WFD) objectives with a Natural Flood Management (NFM) demonstration scheme. The natural solutions to manage floodwaters often require land management changes to slow and store run-off, which can have multiple benefits for water quality and habitat creation, and drive improvements in agricultural land management. In Year 1 of the project, a tributary catchment (16.3km2) trial in Littlestock Brook was set up with key landowners and the Parish Council. Opportunity mapping, site walkovers and modelling are being used to plan and implement a suite of NFM/WFD measures such as creating temporary water retention ponds in field corners, constructing bunds and scrapes to store more floodwater on grassland areas, installing woody material in-channel to create leaky dams, and land management changes including planting woodland in flood source areas and along flood pathways.
    [Show full text]
  • Foxholes Wild Walk
    Foxholes Berkshire Buckinghamshire Wild Walk Oxfordshire Explore Foxholes: stroll through Foxholes Nature Reserve rolling countryside, woodland and quiet villages This tranquil woodland, a remnant of the ancient forest of Wychwood, is one of the best bluebell Starting in Shipton-under-Wychwood, this 11 km woods in Oxfordshire. The wet ash-maple woodland circular walk takes in ancient woodland at the Berks, bordering the River Evenlode gives way to beech Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust’s (BBOWT) Foxholes further up slope with oak and birch on the gravel nature reserve. plateau within the reserve. 11 km/7 miles (about 2.5 hours) In spring the woodland floor is vibrant with primroses, violets To start the walk from Kingham railway station, allow an and early-purple orchids. More than 50 bird species, including extra hour marsh tit, nuthatch and treecreeper breed in the wood, There are additional paths through Foxholes nature reserve producing a chorus of song through spring and summer. to explore further, including a Wildlife Walk Wild honeysuckle grows in the wood and is the food plant How to get to the start of the white admiral butterflies’ caterpillars. Look for the butterflies flying in the woodland. Numerous other butterfly Postcode: OX7 5FJ Grid ref: SP 282 186 species have been recorded in the wood, including ringlet, By bus: Check www.traveline.info for information about holly blue, and speckled wood. local buses Fungi are abundant here during autumn. Over 200 species have By train: The route starts at Shipton railway station, been recorded including boletes, russulas, milkcaps and false alternatively there is an extension to start from Kingham death cap.
    [Show full text]
  • NRA Thames 255
    NRA Thames 255 NRA National Rivers Authority Thames Region TR44 River Thames (Buscot to Eynsham), W indr us h and Evenlode Catchment Review Final Report December 1994 RIVER THAMES (BUSCOT TO EYNSHAM), WINDRUSH AND EVENLODE CATCHMENT REVIEW CONTENTS: Section Piagp 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 2.0 CURRENT STATUS OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT 2 2.1 Overview 2 2.2 Key Statistics 2 2.3 Geology and Hydrogeology 2 2.4 Hydrology 5 2.5 Water Quality 9 2.6 Biology 11 2.7 Pollution Control 15 2.8 Pollution Prevention 16 2.9 Consented Discharges 16 2.10 Groundwater Quality 19 2.11 Water Resources 19 2.12 Flood Defence 21 2.13 Fisheries 22 2.14 Conservation 24 2.15 Landscape 27 2.16 Land Use Planning 27 2.17 Navigation and Recreation 28 3.0 CATCHMENT ISSUES 31 3.1 Introduction 31 3.2 Water Quality 31 3.3 Biology 31 3.4 Groundwater Quality 31 3.5 Water Resources 32 3.6 Flood Defence 33 3.7 Fisheries 33 3.8 Conservation 34 3.9 Landscape 34 3.10 Land Use Planning 34 3.11 Navigation and Recreation 35 3.12 Key Catchment Issues 36 4.0 RECENT AND CURRENT NRA ACTIVITES WITHIN THE 38 CATCHMENT (1989/95) 4.1 Water Quality 38 4.2 Biology 38 4.3 Pollution Prevention 38 4.4 Groundwater Quality 38 4.5 Water Resources 38 4.6 Flood Defence / Land Drainage 39 4.7 Fisheries 39 4.8 Conservation 40 4.9 Landscape 40 4.10 Land Use Planning 40 4.11 Navigation and Recreation 40 4.12 Multi Functional Activities 40 5.0 PLANNED NRA ACTIVITES WITHIN THE CATCHMENT 41 (1995/96 AND BEYOND) 5.1 Pollution Prevention 41 5.2 Groundwater Quality 41 5.3 Water Resources 41 5.4 Flood Defence 42 5.5 Fisheries 42 5.6 Conservation 42 5.7 Landscape 42 5.8 Land Use Planning 43 5.9 Navigation and Recreation 43 6.1 CONCLUSIONS 44 List of Tables: Table 1 Current GQA Classes in the Catchment 10 Table 2 Description of 5 River Ecosystem Classes 11 Table 3 Water Quality Objectives 12 Table 4 Maximum Volume of Consented Discharges over 5m3/d 17 Table 5 Number of Consented Discharges over 5m3/d 18 Table 6 Details of Licensed Ground/Surface Water Abstractions 21 exceeding lMl/day.
    [Show full text]
  • Burford & the Windrush Valley
    Cycle routes from Kingham Station Cycle Route 6: Burford & The Windrush Valley A classic Cotswolds tour across wold and along valley. Explore Widford Church and the histories of the Fettiplaces, the Mitford Sisters, and the Levellers! Some steady climbs, great views and well deserved descents. Grade: Medium, a few steady climbs A4450 Kingham Time: 5-6 hours Distance: 42km/26 miles Kingham Stops/pubs: Pubs and shops in Station 1 Milton-under-Wychwood, Icomb River Evenlode Shipton-under-Wychwood, Swinbrook, Bledington B4450 Burford, Little Barrington and Bledington. Cafes and toilets in Burford Attractions: Cotswold villages and churches, museums and features in Upper Lyneham Burford Rissington Highlights Fifield • 17th century Sherborne Estate, Lodge Park and water meadows owned by Little Rissington Airfield the National Trust including deer park, 2 3 sculpture trail and restored water Milton-under- meadows. Wychwood • For five centuries, Swinbrook was Shipton- the home of the Fettiplaces, wealthy A424 under- Barrington Wychwood landowners whose fine manor houses Bushes Taynton disappeared without trace soon after Bushes the line died out in 1805. Fettiplace B4437 monuments still dominate the village church, in contrast to the modest gravestones in the churchyard of the To Sherborne famous ‘Mitford Sisters’. Widford Manor, Estate Water A361 Meadows however, still survives but the village 6 has long since been deserted and is now merely humps and hollows to the north and east of the church. Katherine Brigg’s A40 Little Swinbrook absorbing ghost story, ‘Hobberdy Dick’ Barrington 5 Burford was set in and around the manor. 4 Key Cycle route B4020 A361 Turn over for route description Cotswolds Conservation Board Fosse Way, Northleach, Gloucestershire GL54 3JH, Tel: 01451 862000, Fax: 01451 862001.
    [Show full text]
  • Display PDF in Separate
    www.environment-agency.gov.uk Further Surveys to Elucidate the Distribution of the Fine-Lined Pea M ussel Pisidium tenuilineatum Stelfox, 1918 Technical Report W 1 - 0 5 4 / T R ENGLISH NATURE Environm ent A g e n c y Further surveys to elucidate the distribution of the fine-lined pea mussel Pisidium tenuilineatum Stelfox, 1918 R&D Technical Report W1-054/TR Ian Killeen and Martin J. Willing Research Contractor: Malacological Services Publishing Organisation: Environment Agency, Rio House, Waterside Drive, Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol BS12 4UD Tel: 01454 624400 Fax: 01454 624409 © Environment Agency 2004 ISBN: 1 844321142 All rights reserved. No part of this document may be produced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the Environment Agency. The views expressed in this document are not necessarily those of the Environment Agency. Its officers, servants or agents accept no liability whatsoever for any loss or damage arising from the interpretation or use of the information, or reliance upon views contained herein. Dissemination status Internal: Released to Regions External: Publicly Available Statement of use This report is an integral part of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan for the fine lined pea mussel Pisidium tenuilineatum. It is to enable conservation staff and those managing water and land to be alerted to the presence of the species and preliminary guidance on its protection. The report is a foundation for research to determine the species’ ecological requirements definitively as a basis for effective guidance on protecting the species.
    [Show full text]
  • The Cotswolds Berkshire Downs North Wessex Downs
    THE THAMES THROUGH TIME The Archaeology of the Gravel Terraces of the Upper and Middle Thames: The Thames Valley in the Medieval and Post-Medieval Periods AD 1000-2000 River Evenlode River Glyme River Cherwell The Cotswolds River Ray River Windrush River Churn Eynsham River Leach " River Thame River Coln " OXFORD Chilterns FAIRFORD " CIRENCESTER " River Chess " LECHLADE e ABINGDON" River Misbourn " DORCHESTER " River Ock R River Wye CRICKLADE i v e r e T River Lea or Le h a m e s River Ray WALLINGFORD Marlow " Cookham " Colne Brook Henley-on-Thames " MAIDENHEAD LONDON " " " Goring mes Berkshire Downs ETON Tha " r River Lambourn e v " i R WINDSOR " River Pang READING " STAINES River Kennet " KINGSTON UPON THAMES " River Loddon CHERTSEY River Mole River Hart Blackwater River North Wessex Downs North Downs Guildford " River Wey 0 20 km Figure 1: The Thames Valley and surrounding region showing topography, rivers and main historic settlements (map courtesy of the British Geological Survey) THE THAMES THROUGH TIME The Archaeology of the Gravel Terraces of the Upper and Middle Thames: The Thames Valley in the Medieval and Post-Medieval Periods AD 1000-2000 Figure 2: 14th-century watermill and eel trap from the Luttrell Psalter (©British Library) THE THAMES THROUGH TIME The Archaeology of the Gravel Terraces of the Upper and Middle Thames: The Thames Valley in the Medieval and Post-Medieval Periods AD 1000-2000 Figure 3: The London Stone, Staines, Surrey (©Historic England) THE THAMES THROUGH TIME The Archaeology of the Gravel Terraces of the Upper and Middle Thames: The Thames Valley in the Medieval and Post-Medieval Periods AD 1000-2000 Figure 4: Abbey Mills, Chertsey, Surrey, c 1870 (©Historic England) THE THAMES THROUGH TIME The Archaeology of the Gravel Terraces of the Upper and Middle Thames: The Thames Valley in the Medieval and Post-Medieval Periods AD 1000-2000 Figure 5: Artist’s impression of Blackfriars ship 3 (after Marsden 1996, 88, fig.
    [Show full text]
  • 107. Cotswolds Area Profile: Supporting Documents
    National Character 107. Cotswolds Area profile: Supporting documents www.naturalengland.org.uk 1 National Character 107. Cotswolds Area profile: Supporting documents Introduction National Character Areas map As part of Natural England’s responsibilities as set out in the Natural Environment White Paper,1 Biodiversity 20202 and the European Landscape Convention,3 we are revising profiles for England’s 159 National Character Areas North (NCAs). These are areas that share similar landscape characteristics, and which East follow natural lines in the landscape rather than administrative boundaries, making them a good decision-making framework for the natural environment. Yorkshire & The North Humber NCA profiles are guidance documents which can help communities to inform West their decision-making about the places that they live in and care for. The information they contain will support the planning of conservation initiatives at a East landscape scale, inform the delivery of Nature Improvement Areas and encourage Midlands broader partnership working through Local Nature Partnerships. The profiles will West also help to inform choices about how land is managed and can change. Midlands East of Each profile includes a description of the natural and cultural features England that shape our landscapes, how the landscape has changed over time, the current key drivers for ongoing change, and a broad analysis of each London area’s characteristics and ecosystem services. Statements of Environmental South East Opportunity (SEOs) are suggested, which draw on this integrated information. South West The SEOs offer guidance on the critical issues, which could help to achieve sustainable growth and a more secure environmental future. NCA profiles are working documents which draw on current evidence and knowledge.
    [Show full text]
  • Choosing Priorities Text, Not Critical for Local Authoring Process
    NELMS target statement for NCA 107 Cotswolds Your application is scored and a decision made on the points awarded. Both top priorities and lower priorities score points but you should select at least one top priority. Scoring is carried out by... Comment [m1]: Text to be confirmed: dependent upon development with scoring system – but this section will be standard Choosing priorities text, not critical for local authoring process. To apply you should choose at least one of the top priorities, and you can choose lower priorities - this may help with your application. Top priorities Priority group Priority type Biodiversity Priority habitats Priority species Water Water quality Flood and coastal risk management Historic environment Designated historic and archaeological features Undesignated historic and archaeological features of high significance Woodland priorities Woodland management Woodland planting Landscape Climate Change Multiple environmental benefits Lower priorities Priority group Priority type Lower priorities Water quality Archaeological and historic features Woodland Biodiversity - top priorities Priority habitats You should carry out land management practices and capital works that maintains, restores and creates priority habitats. Maintain priority habitat such as: Comment [JH2]: Coastal and flood plain grazing marsh • Lowland calcareous grassland • Purple moor grass and rush pasture • Lowland meadows • Lowland heathland • Lowland dry acid grassland • Lowland fens • Traditional orchard • Restore priority habitats (especially
    [Show full text]
  • Oxfordshire Way Maps
    Oxfordshire Way Map 1—Bourton-on-the-Water to Bledington 1 (Bourton-on-the- Water to Wyck Rissington) Approximately 2 miles (3 km) TL= Turn Left FL = Fork Left BL = Bear Left The Oxfordshire Way begins on High Street in the centre of Bourton-on-the-Water at an Oxfordshire Way signpost with TR = Turn Right FR = Fork Right BR = Bear Right the model railway exhibition on the left. Follow the tarmac path to a road. TL and then TR down Roman Way for a short distance. At Harm Farm, TR along Moor Lane. Follow the tarmac lane straight ahead until you reach farm buildings. C TL after bridge and follow Continue straight on to a the fence straight on footbridge and carry through two more fields to D straight on over the a field-gate on to a village hillock to a wooden gate road opposite a Wyck A over a stream. Rissington post box. Here TR through the village. TR along a hedged lane, looking out for a gate on your left. TL here B and enter the water meadows. Keep the hedge on your left and cross two fields to two small concrete water tanks near the foot- bridge over the River Eye. This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence: 100023343 (2008) Oxfordshire Way Map 2 —Bourton-on-the-Water to Bledington 2 (Wyck Rissington to Gawcombe House) Approximately 2 miles (3 km) Follow road through the village to a small stone church.
    [Show full text]
  • Flood Warden Handbook Version 1.2
    www.glosprepared.co.uk Flood Warden Handbook Version 1.2 This Flood Warden Handbook belongs to: On behalf of the Parish Council/ Flood Action Group of: The Primary Flood Warden (if applicable) for this community is: Deputy Flood Wardens (if applicable) for this community are: Deputy Warden Name Contact Details The Flood Alerts and Warnings for flooding in this community are: Flood Alert/ Warning Name Quick Dial Number Handbook User Information Welcome to the Flood Warden Handbook. Thank you very much for agreeing to be a Flood Warden. Flood Warden Schemes are important in the monitoring, warning and preparation for flooding at a community level. Flood Wardens aim to help and prepare those in the local community that are at risk of flooding. They are a vital link between the local residents and those responsible to responding to flooding events. This handbook is designed to help you to perform your Flood Warden duties by providing guidance and information. Chapter Page 1 Types of Flooding 4 2 Roles and Responsibilities 5 3 The Flood Warden Role 8 During 8 Following 10 At other times 11 What not to do 13 4 Safety Information 14 5 Insurance and Liability 18 6 Sandbags 19 7 Sources of Information 20 Appendices 1 Contact Directory 23 2 Flood Warden Equipment 25 3 Example Log Sheet Template 26 4 Household Flood Kit Contents 27 5 EA Floodline Local Quick Dial Codes 28 6 EA Publications 36 Please note- if your community has an existing Community Flood Plan and / or Community Emergency Plan (or are thinking of preparing such plans), it is vital that as a Flood Warden you link in with the arrangements documented in the plan, so that the response to flooding is as joined up and effective as possible.
    [Show full text]
  • Water Resources Planning - Strategic Options
    Water Resources Planning - Strategic Options Volume 1 - Main Report Halcrow NRA National Rivers Authority R&D Note 35 v> Water Resource Planning - Strategic Options Volume 1 - Main Report Environment Information ^ Head Office Class No Access^ Sir William Halcrow & Partners Ltd Burderop Park Swindon Wiltshire SN4OQD National Rivers Authority Rivers House Waterside Drive Almondsbury Bristol B512 4UD R&D Note 35 National River Authority Rivers House Waterside Drive Almondsbury Bristol BS12 4UD Tel: 0454 - 624400 Pax: 0454-624409 0 National Rivers Authority December 1991 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the National Rivers Authority. Sir William Halcrow & Partners Ltd has prepared this report in accordance with the instructions of the National Rivers Authority for their sole and specific use. Any other persons who use any information contained herein do so at their own risk. Dissemination Status Internal: Released to Regions External: Restricted Research Contractor This document was produced under R&D Contract 356 by : Sir William Halcrow & Partners Ltd Burderop Park Swindon Wiltshire SN4 0QD Tel: 0793-812479 Fax: 0793-812089 NRA Project Leader The NRA’s Project Leader for this R&D Contract was Jerry Sherriff - Head Office WATER RESOURCES PLANNING - STRATEGIC OPTIONS HALCROW REPORT AUTHORISATION Prepared by: T R TURNER Signature: ■ ' X Date: 2 /1 /9 2 Checked by: P J HAWKER Signature Date: 2 /1 /9 2 Approved by: J D LAWSON Date: 2 /1 /9 2 Form No.
    [Show full text]
  • SWC Walk 246 Kingham to Charlbury
    SWC Walk 246 Kingham to Charlbury This Cotswolds walk mostly (but not exclusively) follows the Oxfordshire Way (OW) from Kingham to Charlbury and never strays far from the river Evenlode passing through a dreamy countryside of gentle rolling hills, woods and fields that were the inspiration for Tolkien’s Hobbitshire. It goes through two attractive Cotswolds villages, Shipton under Wychwood and Ascott under Wychwood which have the beautiful stone cottages in the traditional Cotswold’s style. The OW is a bridleway and the pre-lunch section is well-used by horse riders that can make the going in some places very muddy after rain. Even during a period of dry weather parts of the morning route will be rutted. After lunch the going is much better. The walk is best done and appreciated after a period of dry weather from late April through the summer. The walk is stile-free; access to fields and woods is through kissing gates or farm gates. Walk checks 1. Wednesday 3 June 2015 Walk checked and up-dated by SWC walking group. Length 17.6km (11.0m) Maps Explorer OL 45, 180 and small part of 191 between Ascott under Wchwood and Charlbury Toughness 2/10 virtually flat ; 145m of ascent and 165m of descent. Features The Oxfordshire Way (OW) A 104km (65 mile) route that winds its way through two areas of outstanding natural beauty, the Cotswolds and the Chilterns. It starts at Bourton in the Water in Gloucestershire and ends at the bank of the River Thames in Henley, Berkshire. The way also connects to Blenheim Park a World Heritage site.
    [Show full text]