Major restoration project restores section of Shropshire river

A major restoration project has restored a long-straightened section of a Shropshire river.

This, experts say, will improve water quality, create wildlife-rich habitats, and help the landscape become more resilient to climate change.

Named the Walcot Wiggle, the project sits with the headwaters of the River Clun, part of which is a Special Area of Conservation.

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Over time, the river was straightened and the surrounding floodplain drained, disconnecting the River Kemp from its floodplain and reducing the variety of flows and habitats that fish, birds and invertebrates depend on.

The project has reconnected more than a kilometre of historic river channel and created a network of wetlands and floodplain features that slow, store and clean water naturally.

It spanned two farms, with landowners helping to create benefits for both farming and nature.

The scheme has been delivered by Severn Rivers Trust, the landowners (Catchment Sensitive Farming), the Environment Agency and the Shropshire Hills National Landscape Team. Funding has come from the Environment Agency Local Water Environment Grant, Shropshire Hills National Landscape 30by30 Fund, Elgol Fund for Nature and the HDH Wills Charitable Trust.

Archaeological research carried out ahead of the works revealed that the valley was once part of a 19th-century floated water meadow system.

A network of carriers and sluices directed water from the Kemp across the floodplain to enrich soils and encourage early grass growth for livestock.

The project follows the same principle of working with natural water movement to sustain a healthy landscape while maintaining these historic features. By helping to re-wet parts of the historic water meadow system, the restoration will also contribute to the long-term preservation of archaeological features that were originally designed to hold and convey water.

“For years, this stretch of the Kemp has been held in a straight line,” said Joe Pimblett, Severn Rivers Trust CEO.

“The Walcot Wiggle changes that. The landowners are giving the river its space back and letting it work as nature intended, filtering water, slowing the flow and creating the rich habitats that once defined this valley.

“It’s one of the most ambitious projects we’ve delivered, built on science, collaboration and a shared belief that healthy rivers mean healthy communities.”

Oda Dijksterhuis, Environment Agency catchment coordinator, added: “We’re proud to support this collaborative project to restore a stretch of the River Kemp to its historic course.

“By re-wiggling the river and reconnecting it with the channel it carved long ago, our partnership is helping to revive the valley’s natural hydrology.

“The restoration will create rich habitats for Atlantic salmon, freshwater invertebrates, and many other iconic river species – bringing new life back to this special place. It will also enable the landscape to store more water, strengthening climate resilience and helping to reduce the impacts of both flooding and drought.”