16 Aug 2025
Progress is being made on major improvements to the River Ver, but the scheme no longer includes work to tackle the state of Verulamium Lakes.
The Environment Agency is now leading on the restoration of the rare chalk stream which runs through the park, but SADC has created a Verulamium Park and Lake Working Group to oversee the project from their perspective.
Meanwhile, the council will be independently leading on the lake improvements, with officers working on developing detailed designs which will go out to tender once approved.
In the wake of previous works to carry out selective tree felling, floodplain reconnection and the creation of a wetland at Bell Meadow, the next phase of the Ver revitalisation programme will start in the autumn and is expected to last a maximum of three months.
It includes the creation of an earth bund around the wetland, as well as in-channel improvements such as gravel berms and woody defectors approved by geomorphologists and ecologists.
The aim of the scheme is to improve the ecological status of the river and provide environmental enhancements.
Angus Richardson from the EA said: “We have now completed the tree works and wetland scrape. Parts of the river were in deep shade, but chalk streams need about 70 percent light to 30 percent dappled shade to support the habitats and wildlife they are so well known for.
“Some trees and large branches have been removed to let sunlight in and increase the abundance of aquatic plants which many insects, fish, water voles and birds rely on.
“We have now secured additional funding for this financial year to build upon the work we have already carried out. The works we have planned for this autumn aim to improve the river’s biodiversity and geomorphology (its natural processes, form and shape).
“We’ll achieve this by introducing woody debris into the channel (using the wood from our tree works), and by creating gravel berms (shelves) at the bottom of the river bed and gravel riffles – shallower areas where faster-flowing water passes over gravels and cobbles on the riverbed, adding oxygen to the water.
“This will help encourage natural processes to occur by narrowing the river and creating a more varied, meandering channel. The berms will also provide a place for plants to establish, creating new habitats for wildlife.
“The exciting discovery of water voles on this stretch of river means we need to take particular care during the works. As you may know, water vole burrows are protected by law.
“This means that whilst we have surveyed the site, if we come across any additional burrows when carrying out the works, we may have to make slight alterations to our designs to avoid them.
“Due to environmental constraints such as trout spawning season, we have a limited window of time to complete the works. We plan to start work on site in September and finish working in the channel by the end of October, the demobilisation of the construction team from the park may extend to November.
“We look forward to beginning work on these exciting plans and seeing the positive impact, both on the River Ver and people’s enjoyment of the park and nature.”
