Environment Agency Starts Work To Improve River Dour

The Environment Agency has started essential improvements to the River Dour in Dover this week.

The Environment Agency took over responsibility for the River Dour last year. It had previously been maintained and operated by the local authority but in April 2005, the river's status was changed to 'main river'. This gave the Environment Agency powers to carry out maintenance and flood defence works.

The Environment Agency first allocated funding to start the River Dour restoration project. This involved ecological surveys being done on the watercourse, prioritising areas of the river where enhancements could be made and coming up with designs for appropriate solutions.

The section of river between Pencester Gardens and the Police Station in Dover has been recognised as a priority area due to its over-widening and alterations that have been made to the riverbank.

The Environment Agency is using natural wood materials that will be pinned to the bed of the river acting as flow deflectors. This wood will divert the flow of water, narrowing the channel, increasing the speed of water and clearing the silt and improving water quality.

Claire Munday, Environment Agency Biodiversity Technical Officer, said of the project:

"The River Dour is an urban river that has suffered from pollution and physical interference in the past. This has led to it suffering from, poor water quality, low flows and a build up of silt on the riverbed. These are not good conditions for wildlife or specifically the wild trout population that live in the river.

"We are going to mimic natural processes to get the river back to how it should be and we are hoping to see an increase in the numbers of fish and other organisms living there once we have finished. The river will be narrower in places and will look clearer as the silt is naturally removed. We are pleased to be starting this work that will create a better place for wildlife and also for the local people that enjoy the river."