October 2025
Chippenham Town Centre Bridge
Words from the Chair
This month’s Newsletter highlights the publication of two significant documents for the Bristol Avon.
Firstly, congratulations to the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust who have produced a 5-year Strategy which will undoubtedly drive forward the excellent work they do within the Bristol Avon Catchment. It is a great read and provides confidence for future progress.
Secondly, I welcome publication of the West of England Growth Strategy. It is particularly heartening that the protection of nature and the environment are integral to this plan. We look forward to working with partners to ensure that economic growth and the enhancement of our water environment go hand in hand.
Finally, a massive thanks to all the volunteers within the catchment who helped continue the success of the RiverBlitz.
Dr Richard Cresswell MBE
Chair, Bristol Avon Catchment Partnership
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Catchment News
Bristol Avon Rivers Trust 2025-2030 - The Five Year Strategy
The Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) 2025–2030 Strategy outlines a bold, collaborative plan to restore and protect the Bristol Avon catchment in response to climate and ecological emergencies. It focuses on three key priorities: building climate-resilient rivers and communities, reversing biodiversity loss through habitat restoration, and connecting people with rivers to enhance well-being.
BART aims to scale up its impact through nature-based solutions, strategic partnerships, and community engagement, guided by core values of stewardship, collaboration, innovation, and integrity. The strategy sets measurable goals and emphasises the urgency of collective action to secure a thriving future for rivers and the communities they support.
Read the Strategy here.
West of England Growth Plan
The West of England Growth Strategy (2025 – 2035) sets out a bold vision to deliver inclusive, sustainable economic growth across the region. It aims to create 72,000 new jobs, improve transport infrastructure, build affordable homes, and drive green innovation. Key priorities include boosting high-growth sectors like digital, creative, and clean energy; tackling child poverty; enhancing skills and education pathways; and investing in strategic growth zones such as the West Innovation Arc and Severn Estuary.
It specifically commits to:
• The protection of the stunning landscapes and nature that attract people to the region.
• An economy transformed to drive green innovation and opportunity, and cut pollution, as we progress towards net zero.
Read more here.
RiverBlitz 2025
Over 300 volunteers participated in this year’s 10th annual RiverBlitz, collecting water samples across the Bristol Avon catchment to assess river health.
Results showed a decrease in nitrate levels compared to previous years, while phosphate levels increased, raising concerns about nutrient pollution. Sampling covered key tributaries including the River Chew, Bristol Frome, Somerset Frome, and River Trym.
Percentage of sites with low, medium or high nitrate levels each year of RiverBlitz
Image credit: Bristol Avon Rivers Trust
Percentage of sites with low, medium or high phosphate levels each year of RiverBlitz
Image credit: Bristol Avon Rivers Trust
These data help to identify both low nutrient areas and pollution hotspots, and provide a guide to future work opportunities. This initiative further highlights the growing importance of citizen science in protecting the freshwater environment and can be observed on the online data platform RiverHub.
Explore the results here.
Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) Council Local Plan - consultation
A consultation is currently underway, inviting public feedback on the proposed locations identified as part of the Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES) Local Plan. An interactive map and evidence base can be viewed online as part of this.
Take part here. This consultation closes on Friday 14th November.
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Wider News
The Water Restoration Fund
The UK Government has launched the Water Restoration Fund, redirecting £11 million from water company fines (from April 2022 to October 2023) into local environmental projects. The fund supports farmers, councils, NGOs, and community groups in restoring rivers, lakes, and streams, through actions such as habitat restoration, fish migration improvements, and nature-based solutions.
Read more here.
National Parks - Rivers at Risk Report launched
Image credit: Campaign for National Parks
The Campaign for National Parks, in partnership with The Rivers Trust, has launched the Rivers at Risk report, highlighting widespread pollution and mismanagement of rivers across England and Wales’ National Parks. Despite their protected status, these waterways face significant threats from underinvestment, weak regulation, and sewage pollution.
The report identifies six rivers at particular risk and calls for urgent government action, improved infrastructure, stronger regulation, and investment in nature-friendly farming and river restoration. It also recommends better data access and public engagement to support long-term waterway protection.
Read the report here.
Environmental lawsuit regarding pollution on the River Wye
Nearly 4,000 residents and businesses have joined the UK’s largest ever environmental legal action, suing poultry producers Avara Foods and Freemans of Newent, along with Welsh Water, over alleged pollution of the River Wye.
The claim cites severe ecological damage caused by poultry manure and sewage runoff, impacting biodiversity, recreation, and property values.
Read more here.
The National Health Service (NHS) and Natural Health Service – a Wildlife Trusts video
The Wildlife Trusts have released a video exploring solutions that connect nature, people and communities, notably the success of the Green Prescribing for Mental Health programme.
Watch the video here.
Forestry Facts & Figures 2025 Report
Forestry Facts & Figures 2025 provides a comprehensive overview of the UK forestry sector, highlighting trends in woodland expansion, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and public access.
The report shows a continued increase in UK woodland area, with a notable rise in broadleaf planting and private sector contributions.
Source: UK Public Opinion of Forestry Survey (2025)
