The River Deben in Suffolk is once again flowing freely following extensive restoration efforts, marking a significant improvement not seen in a quarter of a century. The river's water levels had previously dropped by more than a meter due to heavy rainfall, which caused a weir structure at Ufford to collapse and a nearby bridge to partially fail.
Recent multi-agency and community-led work, including vital excavations and tree removal, has allowed water to move through the area. "This section of the river used to be cleaned out every five to 10 years, so it's not been like this for 25 years," said Councillor David Finley, river warden at Ufford Parish Council. "Now, you can see gravel bits and silt bits, and so it's actually creating a really potentially dynamic river."
Finley described the restored flow as a "really exciting moment." While the damaged weir and bridge are yet to be fully repaired, the unhindered water flow is seen as a critical step in revitalizing the river's ecosystem. The next phase of works is considered crucial for the river's long-term health.