Thames’ Smarter Water Catchment initiative charts the state of the River Crane

Thames Water and The Crane Valley Partnership have published a State of the Environment report for the River Crane, providing insights into the current health of the river and the challenges ahead.

Thames said the report was “a major milestone” for its Smarter Water Catchment (SWC) programme, and demonstrated the success of working with partner agencies, community groups, local councils and volunteers. Among the positive outcomes from the programme so far are launch of the SWC Community Fund which offers small grants of up to £2,000 for capacity building of community groups, and the SWC Large Project Fund which offers grants up to £100,000 for projects delivering benefits across multiple themes. Both were launched in June 2022. River restoration and wetland creation works are also underway.

However the report identified challenges including issues with habitat, water quality, flooding and river access – the latter including both physical barriers and antisocial behaviour. The joint report identified five key themes to be addressed:

• promote public awareness, access and participation;

• enhance flood resilience;

• improve water quality;

• improve the river form; and

• enhance biodiversity – for wildlife and their habitats.

The Crane is the first urban river system in the Thames Region to be supported in this way. And it joins the River Chess and River Evenlode. SWC plans set out a ten-year commitment to boost biodiversity and help address water quality issues, as well as providing wider benefits for local communities through better access, improved amenities, schools programmes, volunteering opportunities and health and wellbeing benefits.