Forum topic: Arnos Park river restoration project

Objectives

To re-establish natural geomorphological features within the Pymmes Brook, including the creation of natural instream features, natural banks, wet berms, potentially wetland scrapes and wet grassland i.e. reconnecting the river with the surrounding habitats, its floodplain.

Potential work:

The First step would be to carry out a feasibility study of the Pymmes though Arnos Park, including the surrounding landscape, defining the potential habitats which could be create and where. This would also give an idea of the cost and time scales involved. Depending on the outcomes of the feasibility study, a topography study of the area maybe needed if the its decide that wet scrapes and marshy areas should be created, thereby defining the works that would be needed to create these areas.

The NE Thames River restoration document also highlights this area as potential for full river restoration.

The works should include the removal of all impounding structures and artificial embankments. Once this has been completed there should be a low flow channel created which meanders its way along the natural course of the Pymmes (may not be the current course, decided by a topographical study). Outside, the low flow channel a peak flow course should be created, this should include wet berms and setback Flood risk managements to allow the river to naturally flood. These areas should contain back waters, wet berms, natural erosional cliff faces and wetland scrapes, which would significantly improve the biodiversity value of the area and the amenity value to local residents.