Regeneration of the Itchen Navigation: planning of works underway

The Itchen Navigation is a disused waterway in Hampshire, paralleling, and at points joining, the River Itchen between Winchester and Southampton. The significant natural and heritage values of the Navigation are threatened by it’s deteriorating condition. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, on behalf of a partnership of organisations, including several members of the Hampshire Water Partnership, has successfully applied for funding to plan for its regeneration and use as a community recreational and educational resource.

The Navigation was constructed between the 1500s and the 1700s to supply water for water meadows and mills and to carry barge traffic. There are several important historic structures along its route including the Hockley Viaduct, locks and water mills.  Some of these structures were built or modified to supply the floated water meadow system, and to a small degree still do so today. Its course roughly parallels the River Itchen and its length of approximately 10.5 miles takes it from the historic heart of Winchester to Woodmill in Southampton. It shares many of the internationally recognised wildlife values of the River Itchen and is important for supporting many different wetland species of plants and animals. Unlike the River Itchen, which provides little in the way of public access, the Navigation towpath allows rare public access to a chalk stream in a valley of outstanding natural heritage value.

However, the Itchen Navigation is in a state of decline.  Parts have dried out or filled in.  The towpath is degraded and undermined by damaged trees, vegetation undergrowth and bank-side breaches which in turn wash away the towpath and flood adjacent land.  The degradation is such that the immense natural and historical values of the Navigation are threatened.

A partnership between the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, the Environment Agency, Hampshire County Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, Winchester District Council, Southampton City Council and English Nature has come together to do something about the declining condition of the Navigation.  The partnership submitted a successful bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for financial support for a project to preserve the Navigation’s for the future.  The project aims to conserve the wildlife interests of the Navigation, and to create a heritage trail along the Itchen Valley in Hampshire incorporating heritage, archaeology, education, public access and amenity value.  Restoration for river traffic is not an objective. The project will draw up a ten year management plan, and pull funds together to provide a cost-effective solution to the problems facing the Navigation today.

Leah Mathias was appointed as the Itchen Navigation Project Officer in August 2004. She is a graduate of Sparsholt College and The University of East London. She has worked for the Environment Agency, Hampshire County Council, Surrey County Council and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust in a variety of biodiversity and community-related positions.

No works have been identified as yet. The aim of the next 12 months of this project is to investigate what, if any, works are needed to:

• Secure the bank and structures along the Navigation to ensure that they are in good and reliable condition;

• Bring the Itchen Navigation into favourable condition in accordance with its nature conservation designations (candidate Special Area of Conservation and Site of Special Scientific Interest);

• Improve public safety along the Public Right of Way;

and then submit a Heritage Lottery Fund Bid for money to implement the works. During this time, a series of proposals will be developed, in consultation with landowners, stakeholders and the public, to secure the future of the Navigation.

For more information, contact: 

Leah Mathias

Itchen Navigation Project Officer

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

Beechcroft

Vicarage Road

Curdridge

Hampshire SO32 2DP

Tel:01489 774415

Email: leahm@hwt.org.uk

Website: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust's main page www.hwt.org.uk and their page devoted to the Itchen Navigation