8. East Lane Car Park

Themes: Ecology and management; Public engagement

Objectives:

  • Increase the amount and quality of in-channel, bankside and floodplain habitat
  • Increase public access to the river (visual and physical)
  • Increase local knowledge and appreciation of the river

Project description

This project will improve the section of the Lea bordering East Lane car park in Wheathampstead.

This stretch of the river, which is about 80 metres long, is effectively canalised and has become heavily shaded by bankside trees and undergrowth. It is next to the free car park in East Lane and is therefore the first part of the village that many visitors see. The project is part of a wider programme by Wheathampstead Parish Council designed to enhance this area. The south bank is owned by the Council, who have funded the project, and the north bank by two private companies, both of which support the aims of the project. 

In autumn 2015, large amounts of overhanging bankside vegetation were cleared by volunteers. A plan for in-river work was submitted to the Environment Agency and Flood Defence Consent was granted in January 2016.

In 2016, the following actions were carried out by volunteers:

  • install deflectors and brash build-outs in the river
  • clear more bankside undergrowth
  • install an interpretation board 
  • remove/crown lift/pollard the larger over-shading trees.

 

Project lead: Wheathampstead Parish Council
Funding source: Wheathampstead Parish Council
Project start: 2016
Project end: 2016
Contact for more information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Lea by East Lane car park

Design by LTD Design Consultants and build by Garganey Consulting.