An ambitious programme to restore and improve rivers in the Lake District has won a major European accolade.
Work by the Environment Agency, Natural England and partners won the European Riverprize for their work to improve almost 100km of river length and restore over 150 hectares of floodplain across the catchments of the Rivers Eden, Derwent and Kent.
It has also reduced flood risk, removed plastic from rivers and boosted biodiversity in the region.
Partners include National Trust, RSPB, Ullswater CIC, United Utilities, Eden Rivers Trust, West Cumbria Rivers Trust and South Cumbria Rivers Trust. Olly Southgate, Cumbria River Restoration Programme Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “It’s fantastic to see the work of the Cumbria River Restoration programme being recognised on an international scale.
“River restoration work can provide a wide range of benefits, creating better natural habitats for wildlife and reducing flood risk through innovative nature-based solutions.
“In an ever-changing climate it’s work like this that will help to improve our environment for generations to come. We would like to thank all partners, stakeholders, local communities and private landowners involved in bringing this programme to fruition.”
The Cumbria River Restoration partnerships programme has carried out more than 100 projects including reintroducing meanders, removing weirs and planting trees.
Practical work was also accompanied by engagement, training and educational initiatives including community events, volunteer days, internal and external training, conference and workshop presentations.
First awarded in 2013, the European Riverprize celebrates excellence in the management, conservation and development of Europe’s rivers, wetlands and surrounding communities.
The other two finalists were a campaign to save one of Europe’s last wild rivers, the Vjosa in Albania, and a project covering the Mura, Drava and Danube Rivers in central Europe.
