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2017 UK RIVER PRIZE & Nigel Holmes Trophy “Celebrating the best in river restoration and catchment management” |
Press release | Tuesday 4th April 2017 |
The UK River Prize celebrates the achievements of those individuals and organisations working to improve the natural functioning of our rivers and catchments, and benefitting society by having a healthy natural environment. |
The winner of 2017 UK River Prize and Nigel Holmes Trophy is: |
River Avon Hampshire, Wiltshire & Dorset |
After much deliberation the judges selected the overall winner as the River Avon for the excellent demonstration of a whole river approach to restoration and management. The project partners were awarded the Nigel Holmes Trophy, named after a hugely influential and passionate river restoration and conservation advocate. |
Daslett Hatches, part of the River Avon Restoration Programme |
Russell Spencer, Hampshire Avon Catchment Co-ordinator, Environment Agency
Martin Janes, Managing Director, the River Restoration Centre
Mark Fletcher, Global Water Leader, Arup |
About the Winners |
The River Avon Restoration Programme (RARP) was set up to restore the River Avon Special Area of Conservation (SAC) to a naturally functioning river system to meet the government’s obligations under the Water Framework and Habitats Directives. |
Project partners |
The Challenge |
In many places the River Avon has been straightened or moved to the edge of the floodplain to work mills or water meadows and there are now some 150 weirs and sluices on the river. It has also more recently been dredged for land drainage resulting in an over-wide and deepened channel and has been embanked in places. |
Restoration |
A range of restoration methods have been used to restore the rivers natural processes. These include the removal, modification and bypassing of structures; re-alignment of the river through the centre of the floodplain; re-meandering the channel within its existing plan-form and much more. |
The completion of Phase 1 is not the end point but a springboard for new phases of restoration using the knowledge, experience and goodwill built up over the past ten years. A further programme of work is needed on the remaining 185km of river to fully realise a more naturally functioning river catchment, able to respond and adapt to climate change. |
The other finalists in this year's UK River Prize are: |
Finalists: |
Winning the category of: |
Lead applicant |
Stroud River Frome, Gloucestershire |
Innovation project - Demonstrating innovation and novel approaches to river management |
Stroud District Council |
Healthy Rivers Project, South East Wales Valleys |
Urban communities project - Working on highly constrained and modified urban watercourses to restore a healthy river for people and wildlife |
Groundwork Wales |
Pearls in Peril Project, Rivers across Scotland, England and Wales |
Partnership project - Demonstrating a long-term partnership approach to restoring the ecology and natural functioning of rivers |
Scottish Natural Heritage |
The UK River Prize is administered by the River Restoration Centre and judged by a panel of experts. The announcement and presentation took place in front of an audience of 300 at the Hilton Metropole, Brighton on the 4th April at the UK River Prize Awards Dinner. The award is run by the River Restoration Centre, partnered by Arup, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Natural Resources Wales. It is also supported by the Environment Agency and University of Dundee.
Notes to editors The River Restoration Centre is the UK's expert centre for information and advice on best practice restoration and management of rivers and their catchments. We are committed to ensuring our watercourses are restored and managed for the benefit of all, with long lasting results for future generations to enjoy. Healthy rivers and catchments provide enjoyment and well-being for people, rich and diverse wildlife and strong economic benefits for modern society. Short videos have been submitted by the winner and finalists. These will be available to view on the River Restoration Centre’s website. Further information on the finalists is available at www.therrc.co.uk/uk-river-prize
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Media enquiries |
Josh Robins, River Restoration Centre 01234 752979 |
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The UK River Prize is supported by: |
Environment Agency and University of Dundee |