12/05/2005 - A wildlife
haven has been re-created along 31km length
of the River Worfe near Shifnal in Shropshire.
This is a result of the Environment Agency’s
improvements to the watercourse.
In the early 19th century there were at least
40 watermills working within the Worfe catchment.
In 1858 the first public water supply was
built at Cosford Bridge to supply water to
Wolverhampton. Further development of water
abstraction has, in recent years, resulted
in low flows that are environmentally damaging.
The river was identified as requiring major
works as part of the Asset Management Plan
(AMP) 2, which outlines the actions needed
to meet the Government’s aim of sustainable
development and environmental protection.
We have worked with Severn Trent Water Limited
has worked to restore flows and encourage
back an abundance of wildlife to the Worfe.
Severn Trent Water Ltd installed a pipeline
in 1999 from their Sheriffhales borehole to
direct water back into the river.
We constructed monitoring sites to control
when the water is released ensuring the efficient
use of the water. At the same time we use
a comprehensive network of rain gauges, boreholes
and weirs to record valuable data which helps
us to understand the catchment.
A long-term plan that will transfer water
demands to Uckington, a more plentiful area,
is underway. Severn Trent Water Ltd designed
this site for this purpose.
The Worfe once again is home to many species.
Otters are present on the river, with recorded
sightings. The improved flows have brought
back an abundance of fish as the Worfe is
a designated salmonid fishery. The wetland
habitat is also encouraging bat species due
to the rich sources of insect pray.
Water voles, on the brink of extinction,
have also been recorded at Burlington. Crayfish
have also put in an appearance at Tong and
Cosford, one of the few native populations
in Shropshire.
We have also worked with the Farming Wildlife
Advisory Group. They undertook 20 farm reports,
which we funded, to undertake habitat improvement
work. This has included fencing out streams
and coppicing work. Many of the farms in the
catchment have land in the Countryside Stewardship
Scheme that benefits the river corridor and
wildlife.
John Ratcliffe, our Technical Specialist
Hydrologist for Water Resources commented,
"In the upper reaches of the River Worfe
there were no flows at all before this project
was started. However through working with
many partners water flows are being restored.
This is protecting the environment and encouraging
wildlife back. An example of one of many sites
benefiting from the AMP projects"
Notes:
AMP 2: Water companies invest in improvements
to the infrastructure that brings us our water
and cleans sewage. This programme of investment
is paid for from water and sewerage charges.
Every five years, the Office of Water Services
(Ofwat) undertakes a review to agree the companies’
investment plans and the prices they charge.
This review is called the Periodic Review
or Asset Management Plan (AMP) process. The
river Worfe is a product of AMP 2 process.
We are currently in AMP 4. This is the fourth
of such reviews and covers the years 2005
– 2010.
