A PROJECT to improve the environmental status of the River Avon in Wiltshire has been awarded a £100,000 grant by Wessex Water.

For the last 15 years the water company’s Partners Programme has helped the Wessex Chalk Streams Project, organised by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, restore sections of the River Avon.

The river is one of Europe’s finest chalk streams and a Site of Special Scientific Interest and the funding of £20,000 each year for  five years means it can stay in good condition.

Martijn Antheunisse, of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, said: “The funding is of paramount importance to us to be able to continue with our work on the rivers.

“It provides the continuity the Wessex Chalk Streams Project needs to be able to make a real difference.”

So far the support from Wessex Water and other partners, including Natural England and the Environment Agency, has helped the project complete more than 50 projects on the river.

This funding will help Wiltshire Wildlife Trust continue the project for the next five years and will see 11 river restoration projects on the Upper Avon and Wylye resulting in 7.5km of chalk stream and floodplain restoration. 

Martijn added: “In this five year period we aim to engage even more with the people living and working in the catchment, educate them on our unique chalk stream, help to improve river management and where possible deliver habitat improvement works for, and above all with, local communities.”