Wandle Valley to be revitalised after Lottery grant

The HLF has awarded an initial £78,000 to a consortium of four boroughs, Sutton, Croydon, Merton and Wandsworth, in order to revitalise the valley - another £1.9m has been earmarked to carry out the work.

Part of the money will be used to protect the valley's diverse natural environment and to return it to its former glory which was blighted by a chemical spill in 2007.

Two tonnes of dead fish had to be sifted from the river in 2007 after Thames Water admitted inadvertently releasing 1,600 litres of industrial-strength sodium hypochlorite.

The rest of the HLF money will be used to encourage neighbouring communities to get more involved through volunteerring projects and education.

Sue Bowers, head of the HLF London, said: "Tucked away in south-west London and spanning four boroughs, is this wonderful inner-city landscape running the stretch of River Wandle.

“With this HLF award under the ground-breaking Landscape Partnership Scheme, we can help local communities such as those around the Wandle course actively get involved and take care of the natural environment around them.”

The river has a rich cultural and industrial heritage, with associations with William Morris, Liberty Print Works, calico printing, and the production of watercress and lavender.

A number of the mills which generated power for agriculture and industry remain along the course of the river, whilst there are also remnants of grander landscapes of former country estates.

Councillor Colin Hall, Sutton Council’s environment spokesman, said: “We’re delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us this support to help improve the environment the length and breadth of the Wandle Valley.

"Our joint aim is to make the Wandle Valley a wonderful natural resource for local communities, where people can go to enjoy its beauty, history and culture."

For centuries, the River Wandle has played a vital role in life of people in south west London.