River Severn

The Mighty River Severn
- A Valuable Asset

The River Severn is the longest river in Britain, stretching some 220 miles from its source to its estuary. It flows through an extremely varied landscape, from the uplands of the Cambrian Mountains in Wales, through the historic market shire towns of Shrewsbury and Worcester in the West Midlands, to the wide agricultural floodplain of the estuary in the South West. The River represents an important natural asset that generates a wide range of environmental, economic and social benefits to the local communities along its route.

British Waterways South West is responsible for the navigation from Gloucester through to Stourport and manages the locks along this route.

The Environment Agency has produced a study that examines the contribution of the River Severn to economic development and quality of life along the course of the river. It's produced this working closely with a range of partner organisations including: Advantage West Midlands; British Waterways; the Rural Development Service; County Councils; Local Authorities; English Nature; English Heritage; and the Forestry Commission, Additionally, as a second phase of the study, there will be a review of opportunities for developing the economic contribution of the River in the future and providing recommendations for developing specific projects to capitalise on these opportunities, and, at the same time, protecting and enhancing its valuable environmental assets. The work is being undertaken with the help of a range of people associated with,and living by, the River.