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The Hampshire River that won the Lottery

After months of planning, the Heritage Lottery Funded 'Itchen Navigation Project' will soon begin work to stabilise the riverbanks of the Itchen Navigation and provide better habitat for the wildlife that lives there.

The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is coordinating a five year partnership project that will create a heritage trail celebrating the outstanding wildlife and history of the internationally renowned chalk river system. Essential engineering works will repair and enhance the banks and the public footpath, which runs along the Navigation. The project, which takes place in areas of Southampton, Eastleigh and Winchester, aims to safeguard the waterway's future as a special wildlife habitat, important heritage feature, and valued recreational asset.

The project was launched at a celebratory event in July, attended by local MPs, landowners and community groups. Following the launch, the project team - including Wildlife Trust staff and river engineers - are due to start work at Allbrook, at an area where the Navigation has overtopped and breached in the past. The banks are under great stress in this section as the river is perched (higher than the surrounding landscape), and complete collapse is possible if the banks are not enhanced. Material will be brought in to stabilise and raise the banks, and resurface the footpath.

Carefully planned tree works will remove trees which are a Health and Safety concern, or which are growing in and therefore damaging the fragile embankment. Heavy shade from these trees also prevents the growth of wetland vegetation along the margins of the channel, which leaves banks bare and prone to erosion.

Letting light through to the river will allow a lush marginal fringe of vegetation to develop along the repaired bank, providing a better habitat for wetland species including dragonflies, damselflies, and water vole. The vegetation will also help to prevent future erosion. Important trees which provide roosts for bats, or which have limbs overhanging the channel providing shade for salmon and trout, will be retained.

Over the next two years, the project has similar plans to improve the banks, footpath & habitat at Winchester, Shawford, Otterbourne, Brambridge, Bishopstoke, Itchen valley Country Park, and Mansbridge. Works will focus on using engineering methods which are wildlife friendly to repair the banks and enhance the marginal habitat.

As well as stabilising and restoring the Itchen Navigation riverbanks, the project will provide better information for visitors to the Navigation including waymarking, informative leaflets and interpretation boards so that visitors can identify the many wildlife species and historic industrial structures around them.

Trained volunteers will also be carrying out preservation work on some of the historic structures along the Navigation to interpret and celebrate the industrial history of the waterway. Habitat enhancement will also be carried out by volunteers, and water voles, otters, southern damselfly and a variety of fish including brown trout, are expected to flourish due to conservation along the Navigation.

A series of activities and events are being planned along the Navigation such as exhibitions at City Mill, Winchester and Riverside Park, Southampton, community art workshops, and conservation training for volunteers.

Debbie Tann, Chief Executive of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust said, "We are delighted to have received so much support from our partners and landowners along the Navigation for what is a once in a lifetime opportunity to preserve this fantastic waterway. The Itchen Navigation has the highest form of protection for wildlife in the UK because it is part of a European Special Area of Conservation. It is also a fantastic example of Hampshire's industrial heritage. We are looking forward to working with the project partners and local residents to ensure wildlife will continue to thrive here".

Michelle Davies, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in the South East said, "This is a terrific project which will benefit people across the whole Itchen Navigation area. The Navigation is a unique piece of heritage with both natural and industrial elements side by side. Through the preservation the public will be able to enjoy and learn about the history they have right on their doorstep."

Rod Murchie, Area Environmental Planning Team Leader for the Environment Agency said: "We are now fulfilling our pledge to make the Navigation better for people and wildlife. Closing the footpath will be inconvenient while the work takes place but it will be worth it in order to improve access, remove falling trees and extend the life of the Navigation for another century."

The project is a partnership between Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Environment Agency, Hampshire County Council, Winchester City Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, Southampton City Council, English Nature and the Inland Waterways Association. Major stakeholders include fishing clubs, landowners and local communities.

Photo opportunity
For additional images or to arrange photography,please contact:

Ali Morse, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Itchen Navigation Project Manager, on 01489 774415, email: AliM@hwt.org.uk; website: www.hwt.org.uk

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Notes to Editors

For further information please contact:
Ali Morse, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Itchen Navigation Project Manager, on 01489 774415, email: AliM@hwt.org.uk; website: www.hwt.org.uk

Samantha G, Heritage Lottery Fund Press Office, on: 020 7591 6033, email: samanthag@hlf.org.uk; website: www.hlf.org.uk

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The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust strives to create a better future for wildlife and wild places in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. It is the leading wildlife charity in the counties of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and is part of a nationwide network of 47 local charities. We work together to create a better future for wildlife and wild places in the UK. With the support of our 27, 000 members, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Trust is taking effective action to protect our natural heritage, helping it to flourish again. Find out more at www.hwt.org.uk