Bowston weir removal

South Cumbria Rivers Trust have been recently working on a project to remove Bowston weir, on the River Kent at Bowston near Burneside in South Cumbria. The programme of works have been funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

This removal has stemmed from collaboration with the Environment Agency and Natural England to identify, investigate and deliver work that benefits the River Kent and its tributaries, as a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Bowston weir removal forms part of the highly acclaimed Cumbria River Restoration programme, which aims to restore our rivers for the benefit of people and wildlife.

SCRT received confirmation of planning approval in February 2022, from South Lakeland District Council. Ebsford Environmental Ltd, leading aquatic restoration contractors, experienced with large weir removals, were appointed to carry out the works. Bowston weir is the largest weir removal through river restoration to happen this year.

Removal took place between June and September 2022 and the river is already showing signs of improvement in form and function. These improvements will continue to take place of the coming months.

This page has been updated with project milestones, updates and relevant information, which we have shared with the public throughout the process to remove the weir. This can be found below, with most recent updates at the bottom of the page. Here are some pictures of the removal process.

Bowston weir

Post removal - During very low flows

Background

There have been a number of investigations into weirs on the River Kent and Tributaries SSSI and River Kent SAC that will provide background information about the project, including:

River Kent Fluvial Audit, Jacobs 2010

(NB: The entire document is available by appointment at the Natural England offices in Kendal, Cumbria. See the Local Community Engagement Plan below for contact details).

River Kent and Tributaries SSSI and SAC- FINAL REPORT- Atkins 2015

(Natural England; Disclaimer– The Atkins report is a report to Natural England on the feasibility of removal of 14 weirs in the catchment of the River Kent & Tributaries Site of Special Scientific Interest and River Kent Special Area of Conservation. The work was commissioned to help Natural England and the Environment Agency plan for future river management works in the Kent catchment to restore river habitats to a more natural state and hence to contribute to our work to achieve favourable condition of the SSSI/SAC. Any proposals to take forward any particular weir removal will be subject to consultation with local land owners, river users and local communities who may be affected, and will comply with the requirements of consenting bodies such as local planning authorities and the Environment Agency.)

Kent Weirs; Bowston weir options appraisal and design, cbec engineering 2019

Flood risk assessment, JBA consulting 2018.

PROJECT DOCUMENTS AND UPDATES TO THE PUBLIC

PUBLISHED MARCH 2019

Our initial project outline about the proposal can be found here- Bowston Question & Answer Document.

UPDATE: PUBLISHED 30TH JULY 2019 –

Based on feedback from the public regarding our initial material, we have produced the following updates to provide clarification, on some frequently asked questions – Bowston Weir removal proposal – UPDATE

We have also created a Local Community Engage ment Plan (LCEP) that explains our objectives and the ways in which we aim to engage the public throughout this project proposal. (Please see update to LCEP below – 13th November 2021 and 6th May 2022 updates)

UPDATE: PUBLISHED 1ST APRIL 2020 –

SCRT Statement – Bowston and COVID-19

UPDATE: PUBLISHED 14TH OCTOBER 2020 –

SCRT Statement – Bowston update- October 2020

UPDATE: PUBLISHED 2ND NOVEMBER 2020 –

Residents Meeting February 2020 – Information and meeting notes

Why Bowston weir – residents meeting 2020 – SCRT presentation

UPDATE: PUBLISHED 13TH NOVEMBER 2020

SCRT Statement- Bowston update- November 2020

November 2020 Timeline update- Local Community Engagement Plan

Additional information – The effects of weirs on fish migration, including example removals

UPDATE: PUBLISHED 23RD NOVEMBER 2020

Bowston update-formal public consultation

UPDATE: PUBLISHED 28TH JANUARY 2021

Biodiversity group meeting January 2021 – Information and notes

Bowston update- January 2021

UPDATE: NOVEMBER 2021

Bowston update – Addtional information requested by SLDC – November 2021

Due to this additional information, there is currently a short additional consultation. After such, SCRT will await the determination of the planning application.

UPDATE: FEBRUARY 2022

Bowston update- Application to be heard at Planning Committee – February 2022

Bowston update – February 2022 – Determination of planning

UPDATE: PUBLISHED 6TH MAY 2022

Bowston update – May 2022 – Delivery phase

Bowston update – Local Community Engagement Plant – Update to timeline – May 2022

UPDATE: PUBLISHED 10TH JUNE 2022

Bowston-update- June-2022- Mobilisation to begin

UPDATE: PUBLISHED 22ND JUNE 2022

Bowston update – June 2022 – In-river works

UPDATE: PUBLISHED 30TH JUNE 2022

Bowston update – June 2022 – First notch removed

UPDATE: PUBLISHED 5TH JULY 2022

Bowston update – July 2022 – Safety first

UPDATE: PUBLISHED 15TH JULY 2022

Bowston update – July 2022 – Post-removal works ongoing

Bowston weir removal leaflet – Process and Progress

UPDATE: PUBLISHED 20TH JULY 2022

Bowston update – July 2022 – In river works complete

UPDATE: PUBLISHED 29TH JULY 2022

Bowston update – July 2022 – Works completed

There will be further information added to this page, so please do keep checking for updates.

If you have any additional questions, please e-mail: admin@scrt.co.uk and we will provide a response as soon as we can.

Bowston weir removal project is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas