Marsh Dykes and Thamesmead sub-catchment

Catchment partnership vision

Our vision is to have sustainable wildlife-rich waterways for future generations. This includes:

• engagement and awareness; increased local understanding, use and stewardship of the waterways, improved facilities and events, improved partnership working and collaboration
• amenity and accessibility; litter free waterways, improved accessibility for all users, welcoming, safe and desirable places to be
• planning and reducing flood risk; integration of flood reduction strategies, development that is sustainable, integrated with the local landscape and supported by the community, sustainable silt management
• habitats and wildlife; create new and improve existing habitats for wildlife, protect and enhance habitat connectivity, improve water quality.

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.

• Marsh Dykes and Thamesmead Catchment Improvement Group webpage
• Catchment Management Plans on CaBA website

Partnership success highlights 2016 to 2021

The Thamesmead Canal Habitat Enhancement Project (2018-2021), led by Thames21 and London Wildlife Trust, installed 410 square metres of floating wetlands at 9 sites in the Thamesmead canal system. New marginal and in-channel native vegetation provide habitat for fish, birds and invertebrates, and improves the amenity of the waterside environment. The habitats were installed by volunteer events. A Catchment Vision workshop in January 2019 identified catchment priorities for the community and stakeholders, with 27 attendees from 10 groups and organisations. An online Vision survey was also circulated within the catchment to ask the community what they value about the waterways, and to agree on the catchment vision statement. In May 2019 the London Rivers Week launch event was hosted at Birchmere Park, with stalls, demonstrations, activities, angling taster sessions, art workshops and volunteering information. The event was organised by catchment co-hosts with catchment partners, London Rivers Week partners and community groups participating. The Peabody Southmere Lake Master Plan (2018-2020) was developed alongside the new housing development around the lake. The phasing prioritises interventions resulting in greatest improvement to water quality and ecology, such as construction of the floating wetlands adjacent to the Wickham Valley Drain. The first phase delivered improved water quality, enhanced biodiversity and improved the recreational value of the lake.

Partnership development plans

We would like to expand membership, participation and involvement with local community groups and stakeholders, and to extend the delivery of partnership projects beyond the Thamesmead area. Peabody’s Living in the Landscape Framework will be a key driver for future work within Thamesmead. An increase in partnership project development, funding and delivery will be required to achieve the aims of the catchment vision.