Early evidence and previous studies suggest that any option is likely to change how water flows through the existing river channel beside the gardens that front the River Worfe. To provide effective fish passage, it is likely that at least 70% of the river flow would need to pass through a new or altered route. Further monitoring may show that this needs to increase to as much as 90%.

The Trust recognises that the existing river channel cannot simply be left without water. Landowners whose properties border the river have rights and interests connected to the riverbank and river channel. For this reason, any scheme would need to retain a watercourse alongside the gardens.

The Trust proposes that, whatever option is developed, landowners would be provided with a smaller brook-like channel along the bottom of their gardens. This would include suitable planting and bank protection to help reduce the risk of erosion, bank collapse, or loss of water from the channel.

The existing channel would not be filled in with hard material. Instead, it could continue to provide useful flood storage during high flows, helping to reduce flood risk to nearby properties. The aim would be to manage flows so that enough water remains in the existing channel, while the majority of the flow is directed through the new fish passage route or restored river feature.

The final design would need to avoid causing erosion, scouring, or lowering of the riverbed, and this would be considered carefully through further surveys, monitoring, and technical design work.

• Date for the Tender submission: 12 Noon on Monday 9th November 2026.
• Date invoicing due: 5th February 2027

Please see attached files below for full details and timings.