Abington Naturewatch: Progress on the Chalk Streams Project

Wednesday, 4 November 2026

Progress on the Chalk Streams Project

5th October 2026 - good progress was being made this week on the improvements to the River Granta, as part of Greater Cambridge Chalk Streams Project (GCCSP).

Under the expert eye of the Wildlife Trust, a number of 'river deflectors' have been added into the river bed at strategic points. These are basically a mass of branches held in place by posts and hemp rope, and are designed to gradually capture silt, allowing plants to start growing, eventually reforming some of the river banks. As their name suggests, these deflectors funnel the water flow at certain points to increase the flow, cleaning the gravel river bottom and improving oxygen for wildlife. Monthly water monitoring will continue in order to quantify the positive effect these deflectors will have. Andy M and David F took a few photos showing progress around the ford.

A 'new 'walkway' surface has also been added along the river, and wild flower areas will be planned in due course.

Deflectors near the ford - work in progress, with branches not yet tied down

Completed deflector downstream of road bridge

New walkway surface

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The Aims of Abington Naturewatch

At their meeting on 9 April 2005 the members approved this revised version of the aims of Abington Naturewatch:

To monitor and record the wildlife (fauna & flora) within the borders of the Abingtons;
To encourage protection of our wildlife, maintain its quality and foster its diversity;
To promote awareness of the richness, potential and problems of the natural environment of the Abingtons;
To cooperate in improving access to the local natural environment for the benefit of all Abington villagers.

Pat Daunt, Founder

The organisation is informal and communication is by email if possible; members are notified of events from time to time. Contact details are maintained by a small "project team". There is currently no membership fee as costs are covered by voluntary contributions at events.

Members are encouraged to report notable sightings of flora and fauna within the Abingtons to the appropriate sector coordinator and an illustrated record is published annually.

A map of the area covered, with some features noted, is available here: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=213774935674882866424.00000111dca2be9f06ab8&z=13>

For more information or to join, please contact David Farrant on (01223) 892871.

Contributions to our records should be sent to sector contacts or either of the above. Photographs may also be submitted to Andy Merryweather (amerryweather61@gmail.com)