On 23rd March, MR and SS joined a Walk & Talk along the River Trym and Hazel Brook that was organised by Bristol Avon River Trust (BART).
It was encouraging to learn these waters are monitored and managed and that they now contain eel, trout and stickleback.
A few weirs with silt traps were built along the streams to create pools. Without a budget to periodically empty the traps, silt is infilling the ponds. The weirs also hinder trout and eels from going far upstream.
The picturesque Stratford Mill was relocated, brick by brick, from Chew Valley Lake to Hazel Brook. The waterwheel is also in place but has never ground anything!
On the River Trym old brick inspection covers used to overflow with ‘sanitary waste’ whenever there was moderate or heavy rain. These were replaced by Wessex Water with larger, more effective, inspection covers so pollution from this source now occurs only about twice a year.
A recent issue was created by builders south of CribbsC:\cribs Causeway, who allowed mud to flow onto roads, which entered storm drains that flow into the River Trym and Hazel Brook. We were encouraged to report any sightings of excessive mud on a road to the Environmental Agency (0800 807 0560). Details they require include:
What (description and photographs) and where (What 3 Words or map coordinates).