Feature

Alresford Rotary

The River Arle

As one of about 200 chalk streams worldwide the River Arle is precious, much loved by the local community and home to the native white-clawed crayfish, an endangered species now only found in a few strongholds. Just upstream of the Eel House, the footpath had fallen into disrepair and was becoming difficult to use even with regular repairs. Happily, a more permanent solution has been implemented through Watercress and Winterbourne's, a Landscape Partnership Scheme funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Washed away

The causes for the footpath's decline were numerous and interlinked. High footfall caused the surface to wear down and prevented the growth of vegetation that would normally secure the soil. The plants that did appear up were stunted by the heavy shade cast by nearby trees and the bank side of the path was further scoured by the stream whenever the water level was high. These factors combined to cause gradual but significant bank erosion, especially noticeable on the footpath, which developed narrow sections and large dips that were often filled with rain, making the route increasingly tricky to navigate, and in parts inaccessible for those with low mobility. But there was another, less visible, casualty, the health of the adjacent chalk stream. As the bank and path crumbled, sediment was being released into the water, settling on the gravelly bed, preventing fish from breeding and leaving invertebrates without a home. As the sediment built up the stream grew shallower, making it sluggish, warm, and more likely to overflow. Vegetation dwindled, compounding the erosion and reducing the available shelter for water voles.

Shoring up

With the Wessex Rivers Trust, the Watercress and Winterbourne's Landscape Partnership Scheme began tackling these issues in October 2021, resurfacing the footpath and widening it to allow pushchairs to pass. Replacement bank supports were added and reinforced by buffers of woody debris. A silt curtain newly purchased to avoid exposing the white-clawed crayfish to any contamination, kept the stream clear during the disturbance. These improvements will be invaluable in securing the bank, but its long-term stability depends on the return of sufficient vegetation. Plant growth will lock the soil in place and shield it from the flowing water, in addition to providing important wildlife habitat, to encourage this, the Wessex Rivers Trust thinned the trees to let in more sunlight and added native plants to bolster the natural regrowth.

As vegetation is vulnerable to trampling, particularly whilst becoming established, the bank is now protected by a low fence with an access area where dogs can enjoy a dip. In November, brilliant volunteers returned to 'hinge' trees into the channel: partially cut through, the trees still grow but can be laid down to form 'pinch points' that hasten the flow and help sweep excess sediment away.

Moving forward

This spring signs of success appeared. The bank is growing greener as new plants populate the area, the gravelly bed near the pinch points is largely free from sediment and the footpath once again offers an enjoyable walking route. The full impact will take time to show and the Watercress and Winterbourne's Landscape Partnership Scheme looks forward to assisting the community with their ongoing care of the stream.

The repairs to and the enhancement of the river and its bank are in memory of local residents Mike and Bridget Newitt, whose generous legacy to Alresford Rotary enabled the works carried out to be significantly more extensive than would have been possible otherwise. Mike and Bridget’s generosity, and its legacy, have been commemorated by an information board next to the Eel House. They wished Alresford Rotary to use their

legacy for the benefit of the local community and it has also enabled Alresford Rotary to donate toward the imminent refurbishment of the Stratton Bates playground.

Cherishing our chalk streams

If you love our local chalk streams have a look at the Watercress and Winterbourne's website https://www.hiwwt.org.uk/watercress-andwinterbournes

Alresford Rotary acknowledges that the contents of this is article and the photographs largely originate from the Watercress and Winterbourne's Landscape Partnership Scheme and the Wessex Rivers Trust.

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James Pinniger