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Hitchin 'Beach' Gets Ready for Summer

Published: 15th April 2013 14:31

A popular spot for picnickers and paddlers received a £11,000 facelift last month after the banks of the River Oughton suffered from erosion, thought largely to be due to the amount of visitors it receives.

The Chalky is a section of the River Oughton that widens on Oughtonhead Common Local Nature Reserve in Hitchin known as the ‘beach' or the ‘dog paddling area'. The popularity of the area meant that the beach had become muddy and threatened to damage a recently re-surfaced riverside path.

North Hertfordshire District Council (NHDC) in partnership with the Countryside Management Service (CMS) oversaw the project to improve the site. A newly created beach area provides access to the river, while both sides of the bank have been restored and strengthened. The banks have been replanted to enhance the river for wildlife, although the wildlife areas will need to be fenced off for some time until the plants have established. 

Tony Bradford from CMS said: "This is the first phase of an exciting project to restore and enhance the wetland habitats that make this Local Nature Reserve so special. Making some physical changes will ensure these are healthy and have a huge value for wildlife."

Cllr Ian Knighton, NHDC's portfolio holder for leisure said: "The River Oughton is one of only 200 chalk streams in the world and supports a wide range of native wildlife. This is an important site to the local community and users of the common so we are very pleased to do all we can to preserve and enhance the area."

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