The Longsleddle valley sits above Kendal. The River Sprint, a tributary of the River Kent SSSI/SAC runs through the valley and enters the Kent at Burneside.

Longsleddle valley – Example of river straightening

The river channel has undergone extensive modifications over the years including re-alignment, dredging, re-sectioning and bank revetment works.

SCRT started discussions with landowners in the valley to deliver river restoration works. Various studies have been conducted which have identified opportunities for river restoration and sustainable management of the Sprint. These included opportunities for increasing habitat diversity, restoring natural processes, enhancing biodiversity, improving water quality and slowing the flow of water.

SCRT has so far worked with one landowner to find and agree the best options available under the new Countryside Stewardship Scheme, ‘Making Space for Water’, which now sees landowners compensated for losses of agricultural land for ecological improvements. You can find out more about this new scheme here: https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/making-space-for-water-sw12

The land in question was identified for floodplain restoration. Four hectares of ‘making space for water’ floodplain were restored, with four seepage ponds created and restoration of tributary gravel fan deposits. This connectivity of the floodplain occurs during large flood events but by removing embankments, more frequent connectivity can happen during smaller flood events too. The floodplain will also develop hydraulic roughness over time as plant species develop through this connectivity process. Hydraulic roughness is the amount of resistance water has when passing over land. Techniques used for the project store water, create ephemerally wetland habitats that boost biodiversity and restore natural processes and connectivity.

Overall, 1km of paleochannel was restored in the summer of 2021 that will experience further ecological improvements over time.

SCRT still have work to do in the valley this year and we hope to work with other landowners in the future to help improve the river for the benefit of people and wildlife.

The River Sprint is a tributary of the River Kent SSSI/SAC (Site of Special Scientific Interest/Special Area of Conservation). This is a nationally and internationally important river which currently is in Unfavourable Condition. River restoration provides us with an opportunity to improve the health and processes of this river, reduce flood risk and protect habitats for the important species this river protects, including white clawed crayfish, freshwater pearl mussel and water crowfoot.

This work is funded through the Cumbria River Restoration programme (CRRS), funded by the Environment Agency and supported by Natural England to restore natural river processes in Cumbria.

This page will be updated with more information to follow.