5 Minutes with George from Affinity Water

Setting the Scene 

Q: Tell us about your involvement in the river restoration project, from the Environment Agency to Affinity Water. 

A: During my time at the Environment Agency, I worked with Affinity Water to assess options for addressing the barriers at the Horseshoe weir (Phase 1) and the Tumbling Bay Weir (Phase 2). Once I joined Affinity Water’s River Restoration Team in 2023, I began to work on the latest river realignment project (Phase 3) at the Woodhall Estate. I project managed the construction of Phase 3, ensuring the environmental objectives for the project were achieved whilst working closely with local stakeholders. 

Q: For someone who’s never been to the River Beane, how would you describe it, what makes it special?  

A: The River Beane is a chalk stream, which makes it really special as they’re globally rare habitats, and most of them are found here in the South East of England. It’s a relatively small river, but incredibly important from an ecological point of view. Chalk streams are fed by groundwater, which is naturally filtered, resulting in crystal clear water and a consistent temperature, which supports a whole range of wildlife.  

The Restoration Work 

Q: A lot of work has gone into restoring the river over the years. In simple terms, what’s actually changed?  

A: In simple terms, we’ve helped this section of river behave more like a natural chalk stream. Over time, historic structures had slowed the flow, silted up the riverbed and blocked fish from moving up and down stream. The river’s course has also been moved and straightened to align better with field boundaries, disconnecting it from groundwater springs and its floodplain. We’ve therefore worked with the Estate to remove or bypass those barriers, reshape straightened sections and relocate the channel back to the valley bottom, reconnecting the floodplain. Over three phases, we’ve improved flow, created new and better habitats and made it easier for wildlife to move through the river. 

Q: You’ve been working to reconnect parts of the river to their natural floodplain. Why does that matter?  

A: Rivers and their floodplains are meant to work together. When you reconnect them, the river has more space to move and respond naturally to changes in water levels. It helps reduce pressure during dry periods, manage higher flows during wet weather, and creates really valuable habitats for wildlife. It’s a big part of making the river more resilient in the long term. 

Wildlife Wins 

Q: Have there been any moments where you’ve really noticed wildlife starting to come back?

A: Yes, definitely. You start to see small changes quite quickly, things like improved vegetation along the riverbanks or more insect life, and then that builds over time. Seeing fish moving more freely through the river has been a big one, and it’s a really positive sign that the river is functioning more naturally again. 

Q: The return of water voles was a big milestone. What did that mean to the project?  

A: Water voles are a really good indicator of a healthy river, so seeing them return is a big milestone. It shows that the habitat is improving and that the conditions are right for wildlife to thrive again. It’s one of those moments where you can really see the impact of the work coming through. 

People & Partnerships 

Q: This work involves a lot of different groups and people. What’s been the biggest challenge and what’s helped it succeed?  

A: The biggest challenge is balancing different priorities, whether that’s environmental, operational or land management, but that’s also where the strength of the project comes from. Having strong partnerships and a shared goal has made a huge difference. Everyone involved wants to see the river in a better place, and that collaboration is what’s made it possible. 

Q: What is your favourite thing about Woodhall Estate?  

A: It’s the combination of history and nature. You’ve got a really interesting landscape that’s been shaped over time, but also a genuine commitment to looking after it and improving it for the future. It makes it a great place to deliver this kind of work. 

Q: For someone reading this, what’s one simple thing they can do to help protect the river?  

A: One of the simplest things is being mindful of how we use water at home. Using a bit less water, especially during drier periods, helps reduce pressure on rivers like the Beane. It might seem small, but it all adds up. 

Looking Ahead 

Q: What still needs to happen for the river to be in a really healthy place?  

A: River restoration is a long-term process, so it’s about continuing to monitor, maintain and build on what’s been done. We need to keep working with partners, to identify the factors negatively affecting the Water Framework Directive status and deliver projects that will result in improvement, not only River Restoration, but land management and habitat enhancement too.  

Q: If you could come back in 20 years and see the River Beane at its best, what would it look like? 

A: If I was to return in 20 years’ time, I’d be excited to see how Phase 3 has bedded in, as when river realignment takes place, the immediate aesthetics can look raw and vegetation takes a while to grow! But by reconnecting the floodplain we’ve enabled much better connectivity between the aquatic and terrestrial zones, whilst allowing the river space to do its thing and evolve over time by sorting sediment and reshaping its course to best suit it’s surrounding landscape. Once these natural processes have had time establish, I’d like to see a diverse community of native plant, invertebrate, fish, and mammal species typically found in chalk streams.