Marking the start of the next phase of Andover’s town centre regeneration, works are due to commence to sections of the River Anton this year with ecological enhancements to protect the natural chalk stream, its wildlife and plants.
With support from Test Valley Borough Council and Hampshire County Council, Southern Water is leading the restoration project using funds from the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP). The WINEP initiative aims to support water companies and their primary role in providing a resilient supply of water to the public and protecting and enhancing the environment, which includes restoring good ecological health to chalk streams.
Beginning at Folly Park, adjacent to Folly Roundabout, the project will include creating a bypass channel around the existing weir to restore natural chalk stream flow conditions to the river. This will also improve the ability for fish to travel upstream around the weir.
Further work will include improving natural light levels through the removal of carefully selected branches or trees. This work will be carried out sympathetically to strike a balance between improving light levels to allow for the growth of bankside plants and in channel vegetation, which is important for invertebrate life, as well as providing sufficient shade to keep the water cool in a changing climate. The work is due to extend up stream as far as Shepherds Spring car park.
The river works will commence in September this year, ahead of the council’s wider regeneration plans to create a new riverside park along Western Avenue. In line with the vision set out in the Andover Masterplan, a picturesque park will be created adjacent to the River Anton to provide pedestrian walkways and cycle lane improvements in beautiful leafy green surroundings.
The council was recently awarded £18.3m from government funding and part of this funding will go towards the new park. The council is currently working closely with Southern Water, Hampshire County Council and local businesses to progress plans and design concepts and further details about this project will be announced soon.
Leader of the council, Cllr Phil North said: “The River Anton is such an important asset for Andover and I’m delighted to be working with Southern Water to support these restorative works and maintain our crystal clear chalk stream.
“Our ongoing redevelopment plans for the area around Western Avenue will open up access to the river through the creation of a new park and I look forward to announcing more updates on this project as our plans progress.”
