THE CRANE VALLEY A Water Framework Directive Catchment Plan This plan has been produced by London Wildlife Trust for the Crane Valley Partnership, with funding from DEFRA directly and through the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts. Crane Valley Catchment P... Wednesday, October 23, 2013 14:33 page 1 Composite CONTENTS INTRODUCTION The Crane Valley Partnership…………………………………………………………………………………………... 3 The Catchment Plan Summarised……………………………………………………………………………………... 4 The Catchment Described in Brief……………………………………………………………………………………... 6 The Water Framework Directive…………………………………………………………………….…………………. 8 Other Frameworks and Plans……………………………………………………………..……………………………. 9 CATCHMENT GUIDE The Upper River………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 10 The Lower River………………………………………………………………………………….………………………. 12 The Duke of Northumberland’s River and the Longford River………………………………………………………. 14 ECOLOGY Habitats of the Crane Catchment…………………………………..………………………………………………….. 16 Urban Habitats………………………………………………………….………………………...……………………… 18 Key Indicator Species of River Health…………………………………………………………………………………. 18 ISSUES AFFECTING THE CATCHMENT Invasive Species…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 19 Heavily Modified Channels……………………………………………………………….…………………………….. 20 Pollution………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………….. 22 Risk of Flooding………………………………………………………….………………………………………………. 24 Restricted Access……………………………………………………….……………………………………………….. 26 OBJECTIVES 1. A River Rich and Diverse in Habitats and Native Wildlife……………………...…….……………………….. 28 2. Clean Clear Water………………………………………………………………………….……………………... 30 3. A Natural Looking and Functioning River…………………………………………….………………………… 32 4. Reduced Risk of Flooding in Built-up Areas..………………………………….…..…………………………... 34 5. Collaboration and Engagement………………………………………………………………………………….. 36 6. Awareness, Access and Appreciation……………………………………………...…………………………… 38 7. A Celebration of the Crane’s Heritage…………………………………………….…..………………………... 40 IMPLEMENTATION The Future of the Crane Valley Catchment Plan……………………………………...……………………………… 42 APPENDIX List of Abbreviations, Photo Credits, Statistics, Acknowledgements, Special Thanks…………………………… 43 References and Further Reading………………………………………………………………………………………. 44 London Wildlife Trust 2013 - www.wildlondon.org.uk Page 2 Crane Valley Catchment P... Wednesday, October 23, 2013 14:33 page 2 Composite THE CRANE VALLEY PARTNERSHIP The Crane Valley Partnership Current Partners The CVP is formed of five London boroughs and pub- Core Executive lic, voluntary and private stakeholders, all working to- London Borough of Ealing wards a shared vision: for a well-managed and high London Borough of Harrow quality river corridor which is accessible to all, in which London Borough of Hillingdon wildlife can thrive and local people can take pride and London Borough of Hounslow ownership. London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames Heathrow Airport Limited Our Mission To develop a coordinated strategic plan that will raise Extended Executive awareness and support appropriate action for conser- Environment Agency vation, restoration or new approaches to design and Friends Of the River Crane Environment (1 representa- management of the river valley. This strategy will oper- tive) ate across political and geographical boundaries, as London Wildlife Trust (1 representative) part of a regional approach to planning in west London Thames Anglers Conservancy (1 representative) but will also recognise the local issues of each bor- Thames Water ough. Project Delivery To use our knowledge, expertise and resources to help A Rocha partners and communities to work together for a co- Canal & River Trust ordinated and sustainable approach to managing and Environment Agency improving the River Crane and its tributaries, to include Friends O f the River Crane Environment biodiversity, community cohesion, historical and educa- Green Corridor tional opportunities. Heathrow Airport Limited London Wildlife Trust To be the catalyst for improving and protecting the bio- The Royal Parks Thames21 diversity of native flora and fauna by contributing to Thames Water London’s Rivers and Streams Habitat Action Plans and TW4 working across boundaries to control pernicious weeds Sustrans and pests, working in conjunction with each of the part- Zoological Society of London nering borough’s Biodiversity Action Plans. To maximise the use of the river corridor as a resource for healthier living and educational activities to improve quality of life for local people. To promote connectivity along the river corridor wher- ever possible. Page 3 Crane Valley Catchment P... Wednesday, October 23, 2013 14:33 page 3 Composite THE CATCHMENT PLAN SUMMARISED Water Bodies in the Crane Catchment and management of problem invasive plants and • The Yeading Brook East animals, including monitoring and surveys. • The Yeading Brook West • The Crane 2. Clean Clear Water • The Duke of Northumberland’s River Outcomes • The Longford River • All misconnections are identified and addressed • The Grand Union Canal at all priority outfalls by 2021. • To ensure that pollution is understood and new Ecology cases are identified and controlled effectively. Key habitats found in the catchment • Physical, chemical and biological water quality • Lowland river (in-river habitat) within its desirable limits, to achieve Good Eco- • Lowland river (riparian habitat) logical Potential. • Oxbow lakes • Improved quality of surface water runoff using • Wet woodland Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems in appro- • Dry woodland and scrub priate locations. • Marsh Catchment-wide Approach • Pasture • The local community is inspired to take action to • Grassland solve domestic pollution, through greater public • Grassland and heathland understanding of its sources and impacts. Urban habitats • Thorough data collection and analysis on pollu- • Gardens and allotments tion sources and specific contaminants. • Encourage or introduce in-channel vegetation to Issues Affecting the Catchment capture suspended particulates and improve dis- Invasive Species solved oxygen levels. Heavily modified channels • Investigate feasibility of installing reedbeds or Pollution other wetland habitats at polluted outfalls Risk of flooding throughout the catchment to intercept pollution. Restricted access • Assessment and implementation of appropriately located Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems The Seven Objectives of this Plan (SUDS) to filter surface water runoff. 1. A River Rich and Diverse in Habitats and Native 3. A Natural Looking and Functioning River with Wildlife Sustainable Flow Outcomes Outcomes • The river and river corridor supports healthy and • The natural shape of the river should be restored diverse populations of priority native species and and adapted to climate change. habitats. • Increased and more variable flow throughout the • To understand the distribution of problem inva- Crane, DNR and Longford Rivers. sive species and control them. Catchment-wide Approach • Diverse and sustainable populations of native fish • Review all man-made structures associated with throughout the catchment. the river, and assess whether they should be re- Catchment-wide Approach moved, altered or simply maintained as appropri- • Undertake habitat opportunity mapping of the ate. catchment to assess existing habitats and identify • Improved water level management scheme for opportunities to create and enhance ponds, back- the lower River Crane involving all relevant stake- waters, wet woodland, reedbeds and grazing holders. marsh within the active floodplain. • River realignment, and channel narrowing and re- • Best practice management of riverside and flood- profiling in overly widened sections of river. plain habitats throughout the catchment. • Reinstatement of gravels using natural materials • Reduce shading of the river channel through se- to promote natural river processes. lective and considerate tree and scrub clearance. • Deliver national, regional and local targets for 4. Reduced Risk of Flooding in Built-up Areas biodiversity. Outcomes • Every local authority in the catchment under- • Increased innovative solutions to improve the stands and protects the river from unsympathetic catchment’s capacity to store and slowly release development using buffer zones. stormwater. • Improve connectivity along the river by installing • To improve the ability of the River Crane to adapt fish passes and habitat improvements. to stormwater events. • Reinstatement of gravels using natural materials Catchment-wide Approach to promote natural river processes. • Promotion of green roofs, SUDS, attenuation • Ongoing, coordinated programme for the control ponds, and other green infrastructure through the Page 4 Crane Valley Catchment P... Wednesday, October 23, 2013 14:33 page 4 Composite borough planning process. to high quality biodiversity and heritage sites. • Improved connectivity between the river and the • CVP website with information on the catchment floodplain to ensure the floodplain is as natural as plan and projects. possible. 6. Awareness, Access and Appreciation 5. Collaboration and Engagement Outcomes Outcomes • Safe and welcoming sites for visitors. • Better collaboration with all stakeholders. • Diverse opportunities to engage with the river. • Greater community engagement along the river. • To link the river and its tributaries to local trans- • All projects to include community engagement in port networks. maintenance/legacy plans. Catchment-wide Approach Catchment-wide Approach • Creation of a continuous