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October 2024

Words from the Chair

I am delighted that Jack Bishop has been appointed as the Bristol Avon Catchment Coordinator to replace Zoe Hancock for the next 12 months. Jack has been doing a great job as the Bristol Avon Catchment Officer and I am sure will continue to serve us well.
Jack’s promotion leaves a vacancy for our Catchment Officer which we hope we can fill soon (see advert below).

Richard Cresswell
Chair, Bristol Avon Catchment Partnership

 

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Blog - Holly Ellis (Catchment Apprentice), Exploring Bristol's streams

Last month, I visited Colliter's Brook and the River Trym for the first time. Despite these both being Urban rivers, there are many notable differences.
The river Trym, in North Bristol, is a heavily modified stretch of river that runs through a beautiful section of woods in the Blaise Castle Estate, that is commonly used and enjoyed by the public, but also runs through some more urbanised areas.
The Trym has evidence of artificially straightened sections, which has a negative impact on the fish and aquatic life living in it. A more diverse river morphology provides variations in flow and provides fish and other aquatic life with a more varied habitat needed to allow them to thrive. According to the Water Framework Directive, the ecological status of the Trym is moderate, however, it is listed as bad for fish.

This river also possesses many weirs and barriers, previously assessed by the Trout in the Trym Group through our Catchment Fund. These will impede the ability for fish to move both upstream and downstream limiting the habitat available to them, as well as their ability to reach the location where they may spawn.

Trout in the Trym and Sustainable Westbury on Trym (SuSWoT) have done an immense amount of work in this area over several years however focusing on litter removal, assessing the suitability of the system for otter and water voles, assessment of barriers to fish, and invasive non-native species management.  There is no doubt the work of these volunteer groups has improved this river system, but there is still more to be done to improve this river which is an asset to the local community. 

In contrast, Colliter's Brook originates in the Dundry Slopes and runs into South Bristol. It is a river that is wildlife in its upper reaches before becoming heavily urbanised. For much of its urban reach it is hidden from public view, running underground in culverts beneath several industrial buildings . We were unable to follow the exact path of this river, due to infrastructure being built over the river. However, for the sections that were above ground we were lucky enough to spot wildlife such as kingfishers and little egrets. In the reaches where you can see the Brook, it is a true haven for wildlife, but there is no doubt the health of this stream is impacted by the many culverted sections. Despite being in such a built-up area with many people, there were notably less people walking the visible sections of the river than on the Trym, despite it being the very same day. There are many reasons why this may be the case, but had I not been shown this river I personally don’t think I would have known there was a river there. A dedicated small group of volunteers, Friends of Colliter's Brook, have produced a map of the Brooks route detailing walking routes to draw attention to the river so it can be enjoyed by the local community. We followed this map and it was an invaluable resource to enjoy this community’s river in such an urban setting. This river is not a WFD water body but the pressure from urbanisation in this area were clear.

I really enjoyed my visit to these rivers, and found it extremely interesting learning about two such unique, urban rivers and the different challenges they face. 

 

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Catchment news

 

New farm cluster initiative

Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) have announced the launch of the “Farmer-led Nature Recovery Initiative”. This is a farm cluster project aimed at fostering sustainable agriculture and ecological resilience across the Chew Valley and Cam & Wellow catchments.
The key highlights this initiative will bring are:

  • Farmer-led collaboration with partners, to tackle environmental challenges at a catchment scale
  • A capital grant fund that will be available to cluster members
  • Biodiversity and sustainability through habitat restoration, soil conservation, and water management
  • Community engagement amongst local farmers and residents

Find out more about this project here.

Example of wetland that can be delivered through farm cluster work credit, BART

'Linking the levels' nature recovery project

South Gloustershire Council have received confirmation of funding for the ‘Linking the levels’ project. This project will be focused along 17,230 hectares of the Severn Estuary, and aims to improve habitat for wildfowl and wading birds, as well as support endangered species such as European eel, water vole and white-clawed crayfish.
Read more about this project here.

 

Trout in the Trym river cleaning

Trout in the Trym have featured in a BBC news article detailing their work over the past 6 years. Volunteers have gathered together to help clear litter from the River Trym. As well as this, the group have been pulling Himalayan Balsam (an invasive plant species), carrying out riverfly monitoring and monitoring phosphate and nitrate levels.
The BACP has supported Trout in the Trym through a number of Catchment Partnership Fund Projects which can be found on our website here.
Click here to read the article, or visit Trout in the Trym’s website here.

 

Addressing Hinkley Point C's acoustic fish deterrent

South Gloucestershire Council have sent a letter to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Milliband, calling on him to ensure the Government enforces planning requirements on EDF at Hinkley Point C to prevent critical levels of wildlife destruction. As part of the original planning permission, EDF were required to install an Acoustic Fish Deterrent (AFD) to reduce the number of fish entering cooling intake pipes at the plant which would result in fish mortality. South Gloucestershire Council and other BACP Partners understand that EDF will make another application to the Secretary of State to remove the requirement for an AFD in the new year. 
Find out more about South Gloucestershire Council’s letter here, and read the letter here.

 

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Wider news

 

Biodiversity Net Gain on small sites

Natural England have published a blog about Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) on small sites. The blog includes three industry experts sharing examples of how they have incorporated BNG requirements into their projects. The small sites include:

  • Garages on a mixed site including sealed surface
  • Agricultural building and gravel drive on a field
  • Farmyard site with static caravan, soakaway, and water treatment plant

Read the full blog here.

 

Manchester City's reduction in water usage

Manchester City Football Club have decreased their water usage by 50 million litres in one season! To do this they have used a rainwater attenuation tank to irrigate the football pitch. This change alone has reduced the Football Club’s reliance on potable water by 70% per day.
Another method they have used, is extracting non-potable water from a borehole through an energy-efficient pumping method. 
Read more about the changes here.

 

Supporting rural flood resilience

A new partnership has formed between - the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), Action with Communities in Rural England, the Association of Drainage Authorities, the Environment Agency, Natural England, and the NFU. 
Flood resilience in rural areas is not as well researched as it is in urban areas. The Partnership’s main aims are improving the evidence base of rural flooding vulnerabilities, engaging rural communities in flood resilience, and improving access for information and support on flood resilience.
Read more about this partnership here.

 

The Big River Watch results

The Rivers Trust have published the results of the Big River Watch that occurred in September. There was a total of 2700 surveys completed, with people reporting findings on wildlife, pollution, litter, artificial barriers and more.
62% of surveys found at least one form of pollution, the most common sighting being silt. As well as this, a total of 645 artificial barriers were spotted.
All of the collected data can be viewed on the Big River Watch Data Explorer.
Find the detailed results here, and view the Data Explorer here.

Bathing water

The Environment Agency have published a blog regarding river bathing water. It includes how bathing water is rated through the ‘bathing water classification’, river monitoring and why EA do it, as well as coastal bathing waters.
Find the article here.

 

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Events

 

20 Years of the Rivers Trust

To celebrate 20 years of the Rivers Trust, there is an Autumn Conference to celebrate their accomplishments and discuss ongoing opportunities and challenges. This takes place on Thursday 21st November. As well as this, there are several smaller in-person events taking place throughout the week of the November 20th-28th.
Book your place here.