Jenny Riddell-Carpenter MP recently visited the River Deben with the Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust, host of the East Suffolk Catchment Partnership, to highlight the importance of collaborative, locally led action to restore and protect the region's waterways.

Last month, the government announced an uplift in Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs funding to support partnership working across river catchments to improve river health. This funding will directly support the work of the East Suffolk Catchment Partnership, which brings together more than 40 members from across the East Suffolk catchment.

A key project developed by the partnership is Recovering the Deben: From Source to Sea, which is creating a costed action plan this year. The plan is being developed in collaboration with landowners, community groups and local organisations to help recover the river for both people and wildlife. The Deben is deeply valued by those who live and work along it, and it is in real need of support.

"This increased investment is a clear recognition of the value of local, partnership-led approaches to improving our rivers," said Ms Riddell-Carpenter. "The work being delivered here on the Deben demonstrates how collaboration across communities and sectors can drive meaningful environmental change."

"I welcome the catchment-based approach being led by the East Suffolk Catchment Partnership. By working together at a local level, we can better understand the challenges facing our rivers and deliver targeted, effective solutions that benefit both nature and communities."

The visit to the Deben provided an opportunity to see first-hand some of the urgent work needed. The MP saw the impact of a failed overspill structure at Ufford Big Bridge, which has diverted more than half a kilometre of the main River Deben into a side channel. The structural failure has also led to the closure of the footpath at Ufford, a popular walking route and beauty spot for local people and visitors alike.

Dr. Helen Dangerfield, Director at Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust, said: "Flooding, drought and failing historic structures all have an impact on lives, livelihoods and wildlife, as well as on those who simply want to enjoy the river. There is real potential to recover the Deben through action to manage water and wildlife differently across the catchment. It is imperative that we work together to find solutions to immediate issues, such as at Ufford, while also tackling longer-term recovery."

A wide range of partners, including the Lower Deben Riparian Owners Group, Deben Climate Centre and River Deben Association, as well as Ufford Parish Council and local residents, consider it to be essential that action is taken urgently at Ufford to avoid damage to wildlife and the environment downstream.

The Recovering the Deben: From Source to Sea programme is a strong example of how coordinated action across a river catchment can address issues such as pollution, habitat degradation and climate resilience.

The visit concluded with a shared commitment to continue strengthening partnerships and ensuring that the River Deben and other local waterways are protected and enhanced for future generations.

Recovering the Deben: From Source to Sea is a collaborative effort to develop an action plan to restore the land, water, and nature throughout the River Deben catchment and estuary. Both drought and flood are issues on the River Deben which are vital to tackle given the increasing impacts of climate change. Previous pilot projects have been successful in storing water and providing benefits for wildlife. The project will deliver transformative action to recover the River Deben for people to love and wildlife to thrive. Please get in contact with us at the project if you would like to get involved or would like to consider flood storage on your land.

More information about the Recovering the Deben: From Source to Sea project, including the recovery action plan, can be found on the ESRT website: www.essexsuffolkriverstrust.org/recovering-the-deben