In southern England, the River Stour is a river in East Anglia. It’s 47 miles (76 km) long, and forms most of the county boundary between Suffolk to the north, and Essex to the south.
Before restoration, spawning habitat and water flow were clogged by invasive grasses.
It arises in eastern Cambridgeshire and flows through the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It becomes tidal just before Manningtree in Essex and joins the North Sea at Harwich.
Recently, the Environment Agency, Sudbury and Long Melford Angling Club, and Sudbury Commons Land Group have been working together to ecologically restore a stretch of the River Stour, and improve public access.
The partnership work, which took place at Friars Meadow in Sudbury, cost almost £10,000 and was funded by fishing licence fees.
The project involved bridge repairs, tree surgery, large scale removal of silt and vegetation and creating spawning areas.
Ben Norrington
Previously it was not possible to fish along this stretch of river due to a number of factors, including the build-up of silt, however it is hoped there will now be increased opportunities for anglers.
The changes should also encourage fish to spawn and improve the water quality.
Ben Norrington, Environment Agency fisheries officer in East Anglia, said, “We are really pleased with how this partnership project has gone. The river has been regenerated to encourage better habitat and to also create recreational fishing opportunities.”
“This section of river has been historically fished by various angling clubs for over 50 years and will hopefully be an asset that can be fished again,” he added.
All photos courtesy of the Environment Agency.