Ravensbourne River in Beckenham Place Park

BPP, Thames21 and the Environment Agency loved chatting to walkers-by about the love for our Ravensbourne River, the exciting park improvements taking place near to the river, what impact pollution is having on water quality in the river and the opportunities for locals to help improve the river and park.

Thank you to the 21 individuals and families who signed up on the spot to be involved! Scroll down to see photos from the day. If you weren’t there and would like to hear more or sign up to volunteer your time please contact BPP’s Community Engagement Officer Catriona Ross at BPPRiver@thames21.org.uk.

Thanks to Eddie’s Dog Shop, BPP’s furry friends enjoyed a refreshing drink and treats while their owners got to hear about plans for the riverbanks.

Dead hedging will be used in some areas along the river to prevent access where the banks have become heavily eroded due to the impact of human and dog use when accessing the water. The erosion involves the wearing-away of soil found along the riverbed, and banks that will lead to the accumulation of sediment which in turn will increase the river pollution problem. Silt is a solid, dust-like sediment that water, ice, and wind transport and deposit. Silt is made up of rock and mineral particles that are larger than clay but smaller than sand. Individual silt particles are so small that they are difficult to see. Silt affects aquatic life by reducing the rate of egg survival. Spawning gravels become compacted, and the invertebrate types and numbers are reduced. In our photos below you can see the Riverfly we found in the water.

Work to stabilise the banks in these areas will give locals who can volunteer the opportunity to get hands on. Please sign up by emailing BPPRiver@thames21.org.uk if you’d like to make a positive environmental change in your park and please help us by spreading the word to friends and family living locally in Downham, Whitefoot and Bellingham.