Major habitat improvement works planned for Chiselhampton

The Environment Agency stocking of 6,000 juvenile barbel in September 2016 has evolved to become the Lower Thame Barbel Project. This has attracted major funding totalling £23,500.00 which is planned to finance significant habitat improvement works on the Chiselhampton stretch of the River Thame which are scheduled for commencement in September 2017. Planned works include the introduction of 200 tonnes of spawning gravels, the creation of two riffles and four backwaters. The project will be lead by the River Thame Conservation Trust who have secured £10,000.00 of contractor funding from Greenfords Contracting. This sum of £10,000.00 is being matched by the Environment Agency and further contributions are £1500.00 from the Barbel Society, £1000.00 from Thame Valley Fisheries Preservation Consultative and £1000.00 from Cuddesdon Mill Village Anglers Association. The long term aim of the project is to create a sustainable adult breeding barbel population on the lower River Thame which includes all three CMVAA venues.