Past river management actions have straightened and deepened rivers. Drainage ditches have resulted in substantial erosion and little seasonal inundation of some of Europe’s most important wetland, grassland and woodland habitats. From 1997 under the EU Life project, the Forestry Commission in collaboration with Natural England, more recently Alaska Environmental Consulting and an array of other organisations embarked on a significant programme of SSSI habitat restoration. Work focused on restoring lost meanders, raising bed levels and infilling redundant channels. After roughly 24km of stream restoration in the last decade, a 2009 programme aimed to restore 5km of ancient meandering streambed at three sites, of which Warwickslade represents the largest. Despite much deliberation with a diverse number of stakeholders, the project began in June. Learning from past LIFE projects would be vital.

Case Files and Uploads

27th May 2010	RRC Case Study Series - Summary of the 2009 phase of the EU LIFE project at Warwickslade Lawn
File :	highland water at warwickslade lawn.pdf (365 KB)