Crane Valley Partnership

Catchment partnership vision

Our vision (summarised from CVP's Strategy for the Crane Valley 2018-2028) is for the rivers and waterbodies in the catchment to be widely recognised and valued as the 'central thread' that links together the natural environment around the north west quadrant of London. This corridor of natural capital to be generally perceived as essential to the area's prosperity, health and wellbeing. Those living and working in the catchment to be able to easily access the watercourses and surrounding green spaces, where wildlife is thriving, and pollution levels are low. Local residents, businesses and policymakers recognise how natural capital enriches people's lives, appreciate the interconnected nature of the catchment and understand the impact of their actions. Local communities, businesses and policymakers in this diverse metropolitan area are active in caring for the natural capital and feel a shared sense of responsibility to look after it and ensure that it thrives.

Related websites

Find out more about the activities and ambitions of this catchment partnership and how you can get involved to help improve the water environment in the catchment.

• Crane Valley Partnership webpage
• Catchment Management Plans on CaBA website

Partnership success highlights 2016 to 2021

Some of our partnership successes include the Citizen Crane citizen science project running since 2014, have been carrying out Riverfly monitoring and water sampling across the catchment. We undertook the UK's first outfall safari in 2016. The Lower River Crane Restoration Project was a major enhancement scheme taken from concept through feasibility to the development of a field scale test site in Twickenham. We reintroduced eels to the Crane through provision of eel passes. The Duke's River Project enhanced the community and environmental value of the 4km distributary. The Colne and Crane Valleys Green Infrastructure Strategy is a detailed plan to develop green infrastructure in the two valleys We constructed a major new wetland and large flood alleviation scheme approaching completion on Yeading Brook system at Headstone Manor Park. Enhancements at Elephant Park, and Huckerby's Meadows reconnecting meanders and creating backwaters. Major community-led project underway to improve environmental value and accessibility of Donkey Wood and Brazil Mill Wood along Crane Corridor in West Hounslow. Morphological interventions on Yeading Brook at Gutteridge Wood, Ten Acre Wood, Yeading Brook Meadows and Brookside Open Space. Re-profiling Yeading Brook at Stafford Road Open Space. Working with Southall Waterside developer to deliver sustainable drainage. Research on engaging with underrepresented audiences in the volunteering sector.

Partnership development plans

CVP’s ‘Strategy for the Crane Valley 2018-2028’ states that the partnership should be:

• the champion for natural capital in the catchment
• the gateway for public understanding and participation in caring for natural capital
• the conduit for funding to enhance and extend natural capital.CVP will focus on three activity streams: ‘thinking spatially’, ‘involving communities’ and ‘gearing up to the big opportunities’. Enhancing CVP’s resilience will be crucial to future success.