Affinity chalks up more river restoration projects

Affinity Water has announced a £1m plan to step up its chalk stream restoration work with local catchment area groups across its region including councils, community groups, Wildlife Trusts and the Environment Agency.

The company will spend the money on five projects to improve the Upper Lea, two parts of the Beane, the Gade and the Misbourne. The Upper Lea river restoration work is scheduled for completion in September 2021 and the others in spring 2022.

The company also reported it is on track to complete existing major river restoration works in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire in 2021, restoring natural habitats for fish, birds and flower and fauna. By 2025 Affinity Water aims to complete over 30 river restoration projects across 13 rivers.

It added that 90,000 people have now signed up to its Save our Streams campaign to manage demand down.