The Hogsmill Improvement Project
The Hogsmill Improvement Project has given a new lease of life to a section of the Hogsmill Open Space and river near the Watersedge Housing Estate in Epsom and Ewell. The £230,000 partnership project has delivered improved access, with new paths a new footbridge and a better environment for wildlife through flood defence improvements to the Hogsmill River. The partners to the project include Rosebery Housing Association, the Environment Agency, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, the Countryside Agency, the Big Lottery Fund, Surrey County Council, the Royal Borough of Kingston and the Lower Mole Countryside Management Project.
Improved Access
To improve access and to ensure good community involvement the Countryside Agency were approached and a successful application for ‘Doorstep Green’ status was made. This resulted in a ‘Big Lottery Fund’ grant of up to £55,000 which has allowed for the construction of a new path running along the whole length of the site with new entrances and seats along the route.
A new footbridge, to replace the existing unsafe stepping stones across the Bonesgate stream, has been purchased using £25,000 of funds awarded by the ‘Living Spaces’ Lottery fund and is due for installation in July 2006. A culvert and new section of path linking the site of the new bridge to the Watersedge Estate has already been constructed by volunteers from the Lower Mole Countryside Management Project.
River Restoration
The Hogsmill River, is an important wildlife refuge and has great recreational value but was perceived by many as run down and a shadow of its former self. In places it was steep-sided, concrete-lined, crossed by service pipes and strewn with litter.
The Environment Agency has contributed £130,000 to restore the river and make it a more visible and accessible area for local residents to enjoy with improvements for wildlife and flood defenses.
The new meander and backwater created by the Environment Agency
The benefits of the Environment Agency river restoration work include:
- An improved river, which will attract new wildlife and become a focal point of interest for the local community and which can be used by local schools as an educational resource.
- Creation of a meander and backwater in a previously straightened river, which will improve the habitat for fish.
- The concrete bed protection on the Bonesgate Stream has been removed which will improve the appearance of the river and the local environment for wildlife.
- A restored footbridge to compliment the adjacent new footbridge and ensuring continued safe access for residents, including wheelchairs and pushchairs.
- Planting of a wildflower meadow, connecting the existing grassland habitats within the river valley to provide benefits for wildlife and especially butterflies.
- Cutting back trees in the existing woodland, allowing light in for other plant life to grow diversifying the habitat and supporting more animals such as dragonflies.
Creating a better place to live
Local reaction to the improvements has been very positive and residents involvement in the new ‘Hogsmill Doorstep Green’ looks set to continue through the activities of the ‘Ruxley Community Partnership’ and the ‘Friends of the Hogsmill’. The declaration of the whole of the Hogsmill and Bonesgate Open Space as Local Nature Reserve will encourage residents to appreciate the nature they can find on their doorstep. A grand opening ceremony, coinciding with the Ruxley Community Partnership Summer Fun Day, took place in July 2006 to celebrate the completion of the project and the LNR declaration.
If you have any questions about this project please call the Countryside Team at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council on 01372 732000 .