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A major restoration project has restored a long-straightened section of the River Kemp by reconnecting it with its floodplain in the Shropshire Hills National Landscape.

By restoring natural meanders and reconnecting the river with its floodplain, the Walcot Wiggle will improve water quality, create wildlife-rich habitats and help the landscape become more resilient to climate change.

The Walcot Wiggle is an ambitious river restoration project and a pioneering example of local partnership working.

The project sits within the headwaters of the River Clun, part of which is a Special Area of Conservation that supports internationally important freshwater species, including the  freshwater pearl mussel. Over time, the river was straightened and the surrounding floodplain drained, disconnecting the Kemp from its floodplain and reducing the variety of flows and habitats that fish, birds and invertebrates depend on.

The project has reconnected more than a kilometre of historic river channel and created a network of wetlands and floodplain features that slow, store and clean water naturally.

The project spanned two farms and has been made possible by the vision and commitment of the landowners. By embracing a more natural river system and allowing water to move more naturally through the floodplain, they are helping to create benefits for both farming and nature.

The scheme has been delivered by Severn Rivers Trust with the landowners, Catchment Sensitive Farming, the Environment Agency and the Shropshire Hills National Landscape Team, supported by funding from the Environment Agency Local Water Environment Grant, Shropshire Hills National Landscape 30by30 Fund, Elgol Fund for Nature and the HDH Wills Charitable Trust.

Archaeological research carried out ahead of the works revealed that this valley was once part of a 19th-century floated water meadow system. A network of carriers and sluices directed water from the Kemp across the floodplain to enrich soils and encourage early grass growth for livestock. This new project follows the same principle of working with natural water movement to sustain a healthy landscape while maintaining these historic features. By helping to re-wet parts of the historic water meadow system, the restoration will also contribute to the long-term preservation of archaeological features that were originally designed to hold and convey water.

 Joe Pimblett, CEO, Severn Rivers Trust, said:

“For years this stretch of the Kemp has been held in a straight line. The Walcot Wiggle changes that. The landowners are giving the river its space back and letting it work as nature intended, filtering water, slowing the flow and creating the rich habitats that once defined this valley. It’s one of the most ambitious projects we’ve delivered, built on science, collaboration and a shared belief that healthy rivers mean healthy communities.”

Denise Latham, Senior Officer, Catchment Sensitive Farming, said:

 “The Walcot Wiggle is a great example of nature restoration and farming working hand in hand. By reconnecting the River Kemp with its floodplain, we’re supporting sustainable farming, improving local water quality and flood resilience, while creating space for nature. This embodies Natural England’s new strategy by placing farmers and local partnerships at the heart of nature recovery and delivering practical solutions that restores nature at scale”.

Oda Dijksterhuis, Catchment Coordinator, Environment Agency, said:

“We’re proud to support this collaborative project to restore a stretch of the River Kemp to its historic course. By re-wiggling the river and reconnecting it with the channel it carved long ago, our partnership is helping to revive the valley’s natural hydrology. The restoration will create rich habitats for Atlantic salmon, freshwater invertebrates, and many other iconic river species – bringing new life back to this special place. It will also enable the landscape to store more water, strengthening climate resilience and helping to reduce the impacts of both flooding and drought.”

Shropshire Hills National Landscape Team:

“We’re really pleased to have Defra funding to support activity to deliver agreed priorities in the Shropshire Hills National Landscape. Enabling this highly modified section of the River Kemp once more to follow its natural course through the valley brings multiple benefits to the river system, and to farmland, nature and communities downstream. The project also demonstrates the importance of bringing people together and working in partnerships to help to look after this much-loved landscape. “

Shropshire Historic Environment Team:

"This project presents a welcome opportunity to balance the site’s diverse conservation interests, ensuring that both biodiversity and flood alleviation objectives are met, while safeguarding its historic environment features."

Work began in autumn 2025. The new meandering river channel and wetland features have now been excavated, river gravels have been added and the River Kemp has now been successfully reconnected to its restored channel.

Why it matters

• Restores over 1 km of natural river channel
• Creates wetland habitat for fish, mammals, wading birds, amphibians and invertebrates
• Rebuilds spawning areas for fish
• Contributes towards reduction of downstream flood peaks
• Improves water quality and soil health
• Strengthens resilience to drought and climate change
• Demonstrates how farming and nature recovery can work together

By restoring natural processes to the River Kemp, the Walcot Wiggle is creating lasting benefits for wildlife, farming and local communities. It demonstrates how partnership working can help shape a healthier, more resilient landscape for future generations.

ENDS