Essex Rivers Hub
Paper Mill Lock habitat enhancement
The floodplain in this section of the Chelmer suffers from significant problems caused by erosion and overland runoff, leading to sedimentation of the river and poor water quality. This project aims to enhance the existing wet woodland & floodplain grassland to address these problems.
To address these areas of significant erosion and sediment runoff this project requires ditch enhancement works and the creation of wetland scrapes. This will enhance the floodplain grassland and retain water during periods of heavy rain to help prevent further erosion and sedimentation of the channel. The installation of a raised path / boardwalk will reduce trampling of the area and therefore help to address the erosion and prevent sediment reaching the watercourse. Installation of impregnated coir rolls along the bankside will further reduce erosion and sedimentation through the establishment of natural vegetation along the bankside.
Coppicing of sections of the existing woodland, along with widening and extending the existing wetland areas and ditches will prevent choking up and drying out of these areas. This in turn will enable these habitats to function effectively and retain water during times of heavy rain.
Project outcomes:
- 0.2 hectares of wet woodland enhanced
- The installation of 6m of board walk to reduce erosion
- The installation of 15m of impregnated coir roll
- 500m of ditch improvement works
- The creation of 2 wetland scrapes covering 1000m2
- 2 hectares of floodplain grassland enhanced

RBD/catchment/river/tributary
River Chelmer
WFD water body status
Moderate
Project type
Riparian habitat enhancement
Total area covered by project
3 Hectares
Project lead
Essex Wildlife Trust
Contact for more information
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Project partners
Environment Agency
Funding source
Catchment Restoration Fund
Project start
2013
Project end
2015
Design by LTD Design Consultants and build by Garganey Consulting based on an original concept by Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust