River Restoration WINEP Award for Thames Water

FiveRivers is delighted to announce that our specialist environmental consultants and habitat restoration teams will continue supporting Thames Water with the delivery of their Water Industry National Environmental Programme (WINEP), with the recent award of two design and build river restoration schemes on the Hogsmill and Sulham Brook, totalling an expected £2million.

At Hogsmill, our aim is to transform the canalised section of Hogsmill River to a more natural form that assimilates with the river’s morphology. The work will meet the WINEP obligation to restore the riparian habitat for water voles in the area.

Sulham Brook currently experiences overshadowing from the trees growing on the banks and a straight watercourse. To restore this area of Sulham Brook the proposed solutions are to coppice the trees and reshape the watercourse so that it meanders to enhance the river habitat. Works will be delivered over three locations: Horsemoor Copse, Horsemoor Wood and Barron’s Copse.

Design works has already begun with works on site expected to commence in 2025 and 2026 respectively.

These schemes continue to build on our relationship with Thames Water, having recently completed two large scale fish passage projects on the Seacourt Stream and the River Wandle.

Speaking to Operations Director, Matt Hart, he said “We are thrilled to once again play a key role in the delivery of Thames Water’s Water Industry National Environment Programme. Through a combination of in-channel and riparian works, these projects will improve habitat for a range of species, including the critically endangered eel and endangered water voles.’