Project to improve and protect chalk stream

The scheme will provide natural flood management along a section of the River Glaven near Bayfield

An environmental project has been launched to help protect one of the world's 200 chalk streams.

The Environment Agency and Norfolk Rivers Trust said the scheme to support wildlife will also provide natural flood management along a section of the River Glaven near Bayfield in north Norfolk.

The river is a chalk stream that flows through north Norfolk into the North Sea and its surrounding floodplain habitat.

The project involves restoring a river channel and meandering it through a dynamic mosaic of newly created floodplain wetlands.

Chalk streams are a rare global habitat, mostly concentrated in southern England, including 58 in East Anglia.

It is hoped the two-year project will improve the condition and connectivity of the River Glaven floodplain, and in turn enhance habitat diversity and benefit water quality, the Environment Agency said.

It has provided £70,000 in funding, with an additional £60,000 contributed through other sources.

The Environment Agency said the scheme would "naturally filter the water, thereby improving its quality and reducing nutrient loading in the Glaven, recognised as both a priority habitat and a County Wildlife Site".

"The wetlands would also enhance water storage in high flows, providing natural flood management and increased ground infiltration," it added.

Jonah Tosney, technical director at Norfolk Rivers Trust, said: "We excavated an existing straight ditch, possibly an old course of the River Glaven, and meandered it through the floodplain to slow the flow of water.

"Old dredging embankments were removed from the river's edge to restore the natural overflow on to the floodplain, and a series of new wetland pools and scrapes were also created to maximise wildlife benefits.

"We look forward to the site further naturalising, with rough and varied vegetation encouraged through grazing practices.

"The enhanced habitat is already being used by frogs, eels, egrets and otters, which is really promising, and we hope additional species will move in such as water-voles and grass-snakes."