Access and Nature Recovery improvements at Sulham Estate

Mend the Gap are pleased to support Sulham Estate on a project managed by the Action for River Kennet, that will see two public footpaths become more accessible and a wet meadow and woodland habitat enhanced adjacent to the internationally important Pang Chalk River.

A bank breach on the river Pang, downstream of Tidmarsh, has resulted in winter flooding of two well used public rights of way that link Pangbourne and Tidmarsh. This has caused a persistent problem which is severely restricting access to these routes and forcing a diversion along a busy main road. Despite the issues around public access, the flooding has also led to positive impacts on the natural environment, rewetting a significant area of former water meadow and wet woodland habitats.  

The proposed project comprises of two parts and offers a solution for retaining the environmental benefits of seasonally flooding the former water meadow and floodplain habitats whilst restoring year-round access to the public rights of way.  

Footpath Restoration: 

This project will see the repair of a breach along the true left bank of the river to resolve the impact of flooding on the rights of way. It will install a new footbridge across the reinstated water meadow drain and two pipe bridges across the downstream track and footpath to restore year-round access to the two public rights of way that have been impacted by flooding. The proposals have been developed in consultation with West Berkshire Council’s Public Rights of Way Officer and are being delivered to their agreed specification. The pipe bridges are necessary to provide vehicle access on a section of footpath that is also a farm track. Interpretation signage will be erected to provide information about historic modifications to chalk streams, water meadow systems and the benefits of restoring wetland habitats for nature conservation and flood risk. 

Floodplain Reconnection: 

The proposed bank repairs will prevent uncontrolled flooding to the rights of way, but if delivered in isolation would cause the loss of seasonal wetland habitats that have developed due to the bank breach. The reinstatement of a historic water meadow drain, immediately downstream of the existing bank breach, will formalise a connection to approx. 5.2ha of floodplain, conserving and enhancing valuable wet meadow and wet woodland habitats. The proposals have been developed in consultation with the Environment Agency. 

If you are interested in finding out more about this project please email:

mendthegap@chilterns.org.uk