Halstead river gets update on future works

The Halstead River Improvement Group has led the charge in recent years to restore the River Colne to its former glory.

The river had fallen in to an overgrown state and was labelled as an eyesore by many residents.

But thanks to work from the river group, the river has recently been given a new lease of life.

The group regularly works with the Environment Agency and met with the body this month to review and discuss progress on the river at the mill.

Volunteers recently took to the river to plant a number of new plants in the river bed.

As a result, Neil Williams, a leading member of the group, says the river is now much improved.

He said: “Lines of sight from the High Street and Causeway are looking much improved.

“We were also pleased to observe the presence of healthy specimens of each of the 14 types planted earlier this year by volunteers, including white flowered water plantain, pink flowering rush, yellow marsh marigold, evergreen pendulous sedge, white flowered meadowsweet, yellow flag, purple loosestrife, pale purple water mint, blue water forget-me-not, common reeds, yellow lesser spearwort, reedmace (bullrush brown), small blue brooklime and pink ragged robin.”

However, despite admitting the river has also seen a boom in “self-spreading” plants, Mr Williams says the group will not be removing them.

He added: “Although some of these are small and the overall growth is rather dominated at present by some other self-spreading species, such as marsh willowherb and hemp agrimony, these can also be attractive and good for wildlife, so we judge that it would not be sensible to attempt any vigorous further clearing at this time.

“Some additional minor planting and tree work is planned for the autumn.

“Whilst we cannot bring back the deeper water of many people’s fond memory, nor yet have any good news to report on improvements to the look of the sewer pipe, I am hopeful that with continuing light management the river will continue to improve.”