Working collaboratively with the Environment Agency and the ecological contractor, we’ve overseen the long-term management and monitoring of the rich and varied habitats adjacent to the Jubilee River to protect and maintain the fragile river and surrounding ecosystems.
Built by the Environment Agency and opened in 2002, the 12km Jubilee River reduces the risk of flooding to over 3,000 properties in Maidenhead, Windsor, Eton and Cookham by diverting river water from the River Thames and into the Jubilee River.
We’ve overseen the long-term landscape management of the soft estate along the Jubilee River near Slough. Our landscape and ecology teams interpreted the requirements of the 25-year management plan, formulating detailed annual work programmes that established a mature, riparian landscape along the river, comprising a mosaic of woodland, grassland, wetland and aquatic habitats.
We carried out regular inspections to monitor performance against the work programme and specification and identify additional work requirements. To facilitate this process, we developed a bespoke, mobile geographic information system (GIS)-based program, to capture details of work complete and actions. This was then run through a tool we developed to prepare concise reports, which was presented to the client and contractors as a record of the work undertaken.
As well as reducing the risk of flooding, the Jubilee River scheme also provides a local recreational and wildlife amenity. Working closely with landowners, district and county councils we supported the fragile river and surrounding ecosystems in a number of ways. From carrying out assessments to manage invasive non-native species to providing drone surveys to monitor and control the establishment of scrub on gravel islands and grazing marshes, which are important bird habitats.