Two North London rivers are to be given “a new lease of life” under a new restoration scheme beginning this month, an environmental charity has said.
Works on the rivers in Harrow and Barnet are part of the wider Action for Silk Stream project, a £150million six-year initiative to reduce the risk of flooding in the Silk Stream catchment and wider River Brent.
Thames 21, the charity supporting the project funded by Defra and led by both Barnet Council and Harrow Council, has announced the latest scheme focuses on the Burnt Oak Brook and Edgware Brook rivers.
Construction is due to continue until Spring 2025.
Over the past several centuries, the rivers have been modified considerably, like many others in the capital.
They have been straightened, deepened and their banks have been reinforced, reducing their ability to support diverse communities of plants and animals.
But they have been polluted.
Burnt Oak Brook in Watling Park is to be removed from its concrete channel and given a new sinuous flow path, while a new channel will be cut for Edgware Brook, located in Chandos Park. The river is currently confined between a chain-link fence and a row of back gardens.
It is hoped Edgeware Brook will be a more prominent feature of the park, with many visitors currently unaware of the stream existing.
Chandos Park Community Group Chair Lynn Scott noted that when park users have been asked for their views on it, they respond to say “what stream?”
But she said: “In the future [the restoration] will add interest to the park as well as benefitting wildlife and helping with flooding.”
Empower Rivers Programme Manager at Thames21 Sam Bentley-Toon added: “These projects will transform the river environment, giving people a sense of the river as a living, breathing entity. It will be a thrilling moment when the river is redirected into its new channel and can find its new path for the first time.”
Both parks will also receive wider improvements which will see trees planted, new paths and a facelift to children’s play equipment.
The schemes are funded by Defra, Mayor of London, Barnet Council, Harrow Council and Microsoft.
Founder of the Friends of Watling Park Gabrielle Bailey said: “I welcome the improvements to our park, which will help to make more space for nature and help re-naturalise the Burnt Oak Brook.
“I also welcome the proposed cafe and improved playground, which I think will help to further cement the Park as a place where all members of our community can come together.”
