2023-24 Tales from an East Anglian Riverbank - Portfolio - Page 12
CYMBELINE MEADOWS RESTORATION PROJECT
RURAL LAND
MANAGEMENT
Working with:
Colchester City Council
Essex Wildlife Trust
Anglian Water
EA Lead:
Kirk Markham
Poaching from livestock poses a real problem at Cymbeline
Meadows on the River Colne in Essex. Several loca}ons within
the meadow are su昀昀ering from signi昀椀cant poaching damage
measuring more than 20 m x 2 m. Poaching in and around the
river here has caused erosion and soil loss resul}ng in an over
widened stretch of river that su昀昀ers from excessive macrophyte
growth and gravel areas smothered in sediment. It also
introduces nutrients and faecal bacteria into the water, which
degrades water quality.
This increase in di昀昀use pollu}on can nega}vely a昀昀ect habitats,
ecology and amenity for water users further downstream,
including an increase in faecal pollu}on at the Anglian Water
abstrac}on point and at designated bathing water beaches and
shell 昀椀sheries in the Colne estuary.
Solar-powered drinker—south bank
Outputs:
£37,608
Total Project Value
£20,000
EA Funding
£17,608
Partnership Funding
Fenced o昀昀 2 km of river to prevent ca琀琀le poaching
Installed 4 solar powered drinkers
Installed 6 pasture pumps
Installed gated access points
Restored channel to its natural width
Outcomes:
Increased now and natural removal of sediment
Signi昀椀cant bene昀椀ts to invertebrate and 昀椀sh habitat
Improved water quality
20 volunteer days and community engagement
Coir rolls and gated access installa}on
- 12 -
