"The River Wandle is a relatively small chalk stream which rises from the chalk bedrock of the North Downs in Surrey and flows just over 20 miles North before reaching its confluence with the River Thames at Wandsworth, the old town which derives its name from the river. Like many other small rivers flowing through urban, industrialised areas, the river has undergone many changes through the centu
ries. The river today is perhaps best known for its recent, fairly remarkable recovery from neglect and pollution, and also the collection of relics from its industrial past which can still be found along its banks. Over the past 15 years a collection of local groups, environmental charities and trusts and various stakeholders have been working together with the 4 Local Authorities (Wandsworth, Merton, Sutton and Croydon) and government agencies to address the threats and challenges which the river still faces. This partnership working culminated in the formation of the Living Wandle Landscape Partnership." The Living Wandle Landscape Partnership Scheme (LWLPS) aims to provide 'a healthy functional landscape, whose built and natural heritage features are well preserved and well cared for, with a local population that benefits from a restored connection to the river'
The LWLPS is a HLF funded project running from 2014 - 2017 The scheme covers the whole stretch of the Wandle, the projects that will be delivered are broken down into 3 main categories:
*Conservation & Restoration
*Increasing Community Participation
*Access and Learning
Each of these categories has a series of individual projects which are going to be delivered by various partners. The projects:
*A Catchment Plan
*Waddon Ponds re-modelling
*Ravensbury Channel re-naturalisation
*Invasive Species Action Plan
*Wandle Flowing Through Time
*Social Landlord Community Project
*Discovering the Source of the Wandle
*Reflecting the Wandle
*Piscators Youth Project
*Wandle Gateways Community
*Merton Priory Chapter House
*Morden Hall Park Boardwalk
*River Education Project
*Industrial Heritage Recording Project
*Interpretation Strategy
*Climate Change Awareness Programme
*River Guardians
Partners in the Scheme:
*London Borough of Croydon
*Groundwork London
*London Wildlife Trust
*London Borough of Merton
*Merton Priory Trust
*National Trust
*Wandle Piscators
*Wandle Trust
*Wandle Valley Regional Park Trust
*Wandsworth Borough Council
www.hlf.org.uk
