Scotsbridge Bank Protection and Habitat Creation Project

Scotsbridge Open Space in Rickmansworth includes a 500m stretch of the river Chess, a valuable chalk river, which is publicly accessible and very popular. Due to its history as a mill stream, the river channel is raised above the flood plain, making it particularly vulnerable to bank erosion.

The river here is frequently accessed by dogs and children, including numerous school groups, and regularly suffers from bank erosion as a result. High water levels throughout 2024 have exacerbated the issue, and multiple small breaches have developed in the bank, managed temporarily by sandbags.

This project aims to deliver soft-engineered bank protection works to restore the river bank and prevent further bank erosion, alleviating local flood risk associated with breaches in the riverbank. To further stabilise the bank and provide additional habitat benefits this work will be combined with improvements to in-channel and marginal habitats, and temporary fencing of short sections of the riverbank.

How will we undertake this?

• Bank reinforcement: Natural materials will be installed along the bank which have been eroded, bringing the height back to its previous level
• Temporary fencing: Bank reinforcement structures will be temporarily fenced for ~5 years to give the opportunity to vegetate and become established free from disturbance
• Natural woody habitat structures and flow deflectors: This will increase diversity of flow conditions, protect bank reinforcement works and direct flow away from vulnerable areas of the bank. The size of these structures are designed to prevent any impact on flood risk
• Gravel margins: Gravel margins will be established in 2 areas where erosion is particularly significant. The bank will be landscaped and local gravels laid on the bank and in the river. Flow deflectors will be used to direct flow away from these areas and reduce movement of gravels
• Tree work: This will increase light levels in the channel and encourage growth of marginal and emergent vegetation. Hedge laying will take place to promote new growth, revitalise the hedge and thicken its base, increasing the value for wildlife in the long term
• Interpretation: New interpretation will highlight the challenges faced by the river Chess at Scotsbridge and promote responsible enjoyment of the river

We have secured grant funding for the project from the Thames Water River Chess Smarter Water Catchment, as well as from UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The project is being delivered in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council’s Countryside Management Service.