Community unites to restore the Wandle

Following a major oil spill, a Crowdfunder for the South East Rivers Trust has raised over £25,000 to fund urgent pollution tracking and river restoration efforts.

In February, 4,000 litres of diesel leaked from a bus depot storage tank into the River Wandle.

Bobby Dean MP has been a long term champion of the Wandle. In 2023, he made the film Wandle: River at Risk. Bobby was quick to highlight the incident, branding it an “environmental disaster.” 

The community united in response to the incident. Bobby has since been working closely with the South East Rivers Trust and local volunteers to push for action and a fundraiser for the charity raised over £25,000.

The money will be used to pay for pollution tracking along the Wandle and river restoration projects.

South East Rivers Trust have also announced a new project to restore a stretch of the Wandle near Culvers Avenue. They will be focusing on improving the river's natural flow and creating better habitats for local wildlife.

Bobby Dean MP, is supporting the project and said:
“It's fantastic to see the work proposed for our local area. I'll be getting my waders on to help out and I hope that many in our community will be joining me.”

You can support the project and volunteer too at:
southeastriverstrust.org/volunteer