]> 2026-04-10T05:16:59+00:00 Case study:Southington River Restoration Project 500 en Approved This project took place on the River Test at Overton Hampshire (SU50953 49769) in autumn of 2017. The report by Atkins in 2012 identified this stretch as needing restoration. The report had broken the river into reaches. Each numbered reach had the problems associated with that reach and the restoration actions needed to restore it. In the case of reach T009 an historic structure was impounding several hundred metres of channel to the detriment of the SSSI. The aims of the project were to improve 400m of river restore the reach from a silty canal to a naturally flowing channel and provide fish passage by removing the structure while at the same time being sympathetic to the history of the site. Environment Agency SSD Natural England Test and Itchen River Restoration Strategy Landowner Yes Yes Yes false No Environment Agency No real lessons. Just make sure you get it right before you start. 51.244863919489,-1.2712692514548 Heb Environment Agency SSD Leman This project took place on the River Test at Overton, Hampshire (SU50953 49769) in autumn of 2017. The report by Atkins in 2012 identified this stretch as needing restoration. The report had broken the river into reaches. Each numbered reach had the problems associated with that reach and the restoration actions needed to restore it. In the case of reach T009 an historic structure was impounding several hundred metres of channel to the detriment of the SSSI. The aims of the project were to improve 400m of river, restore the reach from a silty canal to a naturally flowing channel and provide fish passage by removing the structure while at the same time being sympathetic to the history of the site.,, ,,One of the most enjoyable parts of this restoration was working with and involving the local community. This came about because of the experiences gained in 2016. In 2016 given the location of the restoration through Overton village the owner and contractor where advised to let as many people know about the project so they knew what was happening. While this instruction was carried out many local people where still shocked as to the scale of works. Many non-indigenous tree where felled to allow light into a previously over shaded channel and consequently the view for many locals changed dramatically. Following local concerns Heb Leman the Project Officer gave a presentation to the local community on the background to the Strategy and consequently why the works where being carried out. After this the local community embraced what was being done and wanted to be informed of any future works. Once the landowner had agreed to continue the works upstream in 2017 and remove the structure a guided tour was arranged for residents. This showed them the already beneficial changes to the restored channel and informed them of what was going to happen in 2017. To involve them further it was decided that the Overton Biodiversity Society would carry out the water vole surveys prior to the work and that the community would be kept informed of the new works via the community Face Book page. The landowner also agreed that because of the historic and archaeological interest in the site that Overton Archaeological Society could also carry out a dig during the works. Consequently throughout the works local archaeologist worked alongside County archaeologist piecing together the history of the site. On completion of the works all the finds and the long history of the site where presented to the local community through an evening of presentations on the restoration itself and the history of the site. This event was attended by at least 120 people and was very well received. From this also came further potential restoration works with others wanting to be involved. The whole experience also engaged the wider community with the landowner for the benefit of all. Other external inputs came from colleagues specialising in fish passage. This was a technically challenging project and the finished project had to enable up and downstream fish passage. Their knowledge was invaluable in allowing this happen., There was no official monitoring at this site. Heb Leman 23183 Natural England Image showing location of removed structure and newly improved surrounding area 2017-12-21Z 2458108.5 Southington upstream of structure finished 2017.JPG 2017-06-01Z 2457905.5 Complete Removal of a historic impounding structure on the River Test at Overton and the restoration of 400m of channel upstream. The reach include x2 crescent rock ramps to retain the head and spread it over a longer distance. Southington River Restoration Project southington river restoration project No 400 River Test river test One of the most enjoyable parts of this restoration was working with and involving the local community. This came about because of the experiences gained in 2016. In 2016 given the location of the restoration through Overton village the owner and contractor where advised to let as many people know about the project so they knew what was happening. While this instruction was carried out many local people where still shocked as to the scale of works. Many non-indigenous tree where felled to allow light into a previously over shaded channel and consequently the view for many locals changed dramatically. Following local concerns Heb Leman the Project Officer gave a presentation to the local community on the background to the Strategy and consequently why the works where being carried out. After this the local community embraced what was being done and wanted to be informed of any future works. Once the landowner had agreed to continue the works upstream in 2017 and remove the structure a guided tour was arranged for residents. This showed them the already beneficial changes to the restored channel and informed them of what was going to happen in 2017. To involve them further it was decided that the Overton Biodiversity Society would carry out the water vole surveys prior to the work and that the community would be kept informed of the new works via the community Face Book page. The landowner also agreed that because of the historic and archaeological interest in the site that Overton Archaeological Society could also carry out a dig during the works. Consequently throughout the works local archaeologist worked alongside County archaeologist piecing together the history of the site. On completion of the works all the finds and the long history of the site where presented to the local community through an evening of presentations on the restoration itself and the history of the site. This event was attended by at least 120 people and was very well received. From this also came further potential restoration works with others wanting to be involved. The whole experience also engaged the wider community with the landowner for the benefit of all. Other external inputs came from colleagues specialising in fish passage. This was a technically challenging project and the finished project had to enable up and downstream fish passage. Their knowledge was invaluable in allowing this happen. Heb Leman 50 - 100 k€ Environment Agency Economic aspects Environmental flows and water resources Fisheries Flood risk management Habitat and biodiversity Spatial planning Urban 50 - 100 k€ Heb Leman Environment Agency 2017-12-21Z 2458108.5 2017-09-20Z 2458016.5 2018-02-19T16:12:10Z 2458169.1751157 2018-11-01T14:19:48Z 2458424.0970833 Southington River Restoration Project 500 1 list 3 [[Category:Case study]] [[Parent project::Case study:Southington River Restoration Project]] Southington River Restoration Project# QUERY1c43e552f7752242f3038c9f657ae33b