Dredging up the past for a better future

20 March 2009

A £2 million dredging programme to improve the water quality of the River Lee Navigation near the Olympic Park in East London, will see up to 16,000m3 of silt removed from the waterway.

The Environment Agency and British Waterways have joined forces to tackle the problem of poor water quality on the river, which has been an issue of concern for many years, affecting local residents, wildlife, boaters and other waterway users such as rowers and ramblers.

Dave Wardle, Environment Agency project manager explains: “Historically the river has suffered from years of abuse. Riverside industries discharged unwanted waste into the waterway. Sewage treatment works use the river to dispose of effluent. Homes were built in the area with misconnected pipes, and fly-tipping and general littering has been common-place. These combined actions have resulted in a build up of silt and obstructions in the river, which must now be cleared as part of a wider programme of improvements to the waterway.

“This clean up is part of a pan European initiative called the Water Framework Directive, which aims to improve the quality of water in rivers, estuaries and other wetlands across England and Wales. The dredging, and European Water Framework Directive overall, will enable watercourses to support healthy fish, animals, insects and plants, helping this area of the Lee Valley to become an attractive area of open space which people can use for walking, cycling, fishing and boating.”

Major events, such as the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, have provided a catalyst to clean up the river and encourage its users, neighbours and guardians to improve and protect this green corridor running through East London.

Mark Hunter, Rower and Olympic Gold Medallist, said: “This is a fantastic programme of work that will help give Londoner’s a lasting legacy of clean and active waterways. As a youngster growing up in East London, getting out on the water inspired me to become a rower, and improving water quality on the River Lee Navigation will only help the young athletes who are training out on the water today.”

The three month programme of dredging works is the first step towards achieving the goal of a clean, green river. The dredging will remove up to 16,000m3 of silt from the river bed, along a 7km stretch of waterway from Tottenham Lock downstream to Old Ford Lock.

British Waterways’ ecologist, Leela O’Dea added: “We are delighted that this historic problem can finally be tackled. Dredging will help to gradually improve the water quality of the river, which in turn will encourage wildlife to return to the area, enable boats to travel more easily and improve the appearance and even the smell of the waterways.”

Further works are required to ensure the water quality of the river continues to improve. These include:

• working with local authorities to reduce and rectify the number of sewage mis-connections;
• education and awareness initiatives to prevent fly-tipping and littering;
• long-term improvements to Deephams Sewage Treatment Works to reduce sewage and silt discharges and odours.

Ends

Notes to editors:

British Waterways cares for and manages 100 miles of canals and rivers and 110 acres of docks in London. As a not-for-dividend public corporation it works with a broad range of public, private and voluntary sector partners to unlock the potential of the inland waterways for the benefit of the millions who visit and care for them. www.britishwaterways.co.uk/london