22. Scotsbridge bank protection and habitat creation

Aims: Improve wildlife corridors; Manage flow

Water body: River Chess

Project description

The river Chess at Scotsbridge is raised above the flood plain, and frequently accessed by dogs and school groups, making it particularly vulnerable to bank erosion.

High water levels throughout 2024 exacerbated this issue and multiple small breaches have developed in the bank, managed temporarily by sandbags. The project will deliver soft-engineered bank protection works to restore the river banks and prevent further bank erosion. To further stabilise the bank and provide additional habitat benefits, this work will be combined with improvements to in-channel and marginal habitats, and temporary fencing of short sections of the riverbank. Work is intended to be completed in March/April 2025.

Further Information

Please also refer to Project 20: Scotsbridge bypass channel

Project lead: Three Rivers District Council

Project partners: Herts Countryside Management Service

Contact for more information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Project start: June 2024

Project end: May 2025

Funding source: River Chess Smarter Water Catchment , UK Shared Prosperity Fund