You can read our full catchment management plan here

Our long-term aim is to improve the River Lea to benefit the local communities, environment, and economy. There are many things a restored river could bring – educational opportunities, better health, improved wildlife and more.

We are making these benefits a reality by working together with local stakeholders. We believe that promoting joint action we will achieve greater benefits for people and the environment alike.

Themes and objectives

Theme 1 (T1) - Water quantity 
O1.1: reduce flood risk arising from rivers, surface water and groundwater 
O1.2: promote action through education to reduce households’ and local businesses water consumption 
O1.3: support measures to reduce groundwater abstraction in the area, making the river more resilient to high and low flows 
Theme 2 (T2) - Water quality 
O2.1: work together to investigate and implement solutions to manage and minimise sources of pollution    
O2.2: educate the general public and local businesses about their role in water quality improvements  
O2.3: promote action to reduce households’ water pollution 
Theme 3 (T3) - Physical habitat  
O3.1: improve and expand existing wildlife corridors, including buffer strips alongside the river, especially for protected species   
O3.2: eradicate invasive non-native species    
O3.3: increase the amount and quality of habitats and species   
O3.4: protect the environment and preserve natural heritage  
O3.5: restore natural chalk stream features for wildlife and river health 
Theme 4 (T4) - Community engagement 
O4.1: improve local knowledge and understanding of the river and the issues facing it 
O4.2: increase public access to and involvement in the river 
O4.3: promote the river as a community and educational resource 
O4.4: engage with riparian landowners to increase their knowledge of their rights and responsibilities in relation to the river 

How it works

The Catchment Partnership has found a number of ways to achieve the above objectives through a variety of projects. These can include:  

• a partnership project with a college or univeristy to build awareness of the importance of the river, or to create a marketing campaign to promote the Catchment Partnership - such as the LoveLea campaign with Univeristy of Bedfordshire students, Monitoring App, and LoveLEA art and design project with Barnfield College.  
• working with local residents to reduce water pollution and wastage - like Only Rain Down the Drain, Water Wardens, and Affinity Water's plans.   
• training teachers and providing educational resources to schools - find out more. 
• engaging volunteers in a site clearance or improvement project, where they can learn new skills - for example the source of the River Lea project and Cowslip Meadow.   
• running an employment and skills project to engage local people whilst they undertake practical improvements along the river, learning new skills to get them into employment - like Green Skills at Cowslip Meadow, Greening Up, and  Green Skills at Riverside Park.    
• running a team building day to conserve and improve a site or habitat along the river - such as the days held with Certsure and Galliford Try.
• engaging children to adults in the health of the river by training volunteers to monitor the health of the river - like RiverLUTiON and Junior River Wardens.    
• regenerating an area along the river to increase public access, improve habitats, re-direct the course of the river.

• undertaking a feasibility study - like the one at Houghton Brook.  
• improving habitats and wildlife, or reducing pollution, through Landscape Design and practical improvements - such as Wardown Lake improvements.
• working with a school to reduce their flood risk and improve habitats for wildlife - like the project at River Bank Primary School. 
• improving water quality and quantity through Landscape Design and practical improvements - such as Leagrave Marsh improvements, Manor Road Park, Geomorphological works at Manor Road Park, and SuDS work.  

• research into the causes and possible solutions of pollution - for example Luton Hoo Lake research and the Floating Boom at Luton Hoo Lakes.

The Catchment Partnership is keen to work with as many partners on as many projects as possible to achieve the above objectives. The Partnership welcomes ideas for projects and notify us of problems that need to be solved. Get in touch via the Contact Us page.