Suffolk’s River Deben flows again – After months of dry river bed, local people can at last see water flowing again in what should be the beautiful River Deben at Ufford.
Funding from Melton and Ufford Parish Councils and from local landowners has this week allowed the Water Management Alliance (WMA) and their contractors to clear away reeds and silt and reopen the main river channel at Ufford.
Last March, following heavy rainfall, the River Deben at Ufford was breached at a weir near the popular swimming spot, known as ‘the Ufford hole’. This caused the entire flow of the river to empty into the side channel towards the East Suffolk Train Line, creating potential risks to the stability of a vital supply line to the Sizewell C construction project.
The river bed dried out for about half mile and a footbridge on a popular circular walk was lost. After approval from the main agencies, work started on Tuesday 1st September to clear the dried-up channel and by Thursday 3rd September, water started to flow again.
A large tree in the side channel, previously creating a whirlpool of erosion there, has also been removed.
This is the first step in a larger project to recover and protect the wider area from erosion and flooding and it marks an important milestone for the local communities in the neighbouring villages.
Agreement was given to approve this first phase of the recovery project at a meeting between landowners (members of the Lower Deben Owners Group – LDOG), agencies including the Environment Agency, WMA and Natural England, Suffolk County Council Public Rights of Way (PRoW) and three Parish Councils (Bromeswell, Melton and Ufford).
David Findley, Ufford Parish Council’s River Warden commented “Local people are delighted to see water flowing again in a section of the river choked with weeds for many years and with silt from Storm Babet. It is great to see how a collaborative ‘can do’ approach by the local community, local landowners, key national and county agencies and contractors can deliver results more cost effectively and quicker than in many other schemes”.
The next phase of the project will involve further work to reinvigorate the river’s flow, protect the water meadows and the railway line from erosion and to restore the public footpath.
Lower Deben Owners Group’s Trevor Gill added: “Our vision is for a healthy, fully functioning River Deben for the next 100 years. That means looking at the river as a whole and finding sustainable solutions that restore nature and biodiversity, strengthen flood and drought resilience, support local farming and food production, and benefit the wider community. What has been achieved this week is an important first step towards securing that future. Thank you to all who have contributed thus far. We have great plans already in motion. We are appreciative for your continued support and interest.”
