Alt Catchment NFM bid success

We are thrilled to announce that our £2.1m bid to the Environment Agency’s Natural Flood Management programme has been successful!

The Alt Catchment NFM Project will implement a variety of NFM measures throughout the whole of the catchment, from leaky dams in Huyton to sand dune management at Hightown. The project, made possible through the Alt Crossens Catchment Partnership, will bring together a wide range of partners including local authorities, NGOs, universities and the local record centre to work together to achieve multiple benefits at a catchment-scale.

Host for the Catchment Partnership Andy Martin shared the news with partners, saying “The successful bid is the result of fantastic collaboration between a range of stakeholder partners from across the Catchment. The multiple NFM projects included in the bid will reduce flood risk, create and improve wildlife habitats, improve water quality, provide valuable learning and promote even closer working between project partners.”

The project will run until 2027, with an initial development phase followed by delivery, subject to business case approval. Find out more about the NFM Programme and the other successful applicants and schemes: 40 projects to benefit from £25 million funding for natural flood management - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

News

Alt Weir Removal Planning
Plans are currently being explored for removal of the only major weir on the River Alt which is a barrier to fish migration
Mersey Valley Way: first National River Walk
The Mersey Valley Way along the River Mersey in Greater Manchester is the first designated national river walk in England.
Coppicing and dead hedging at Newgate Nature Reserve, Wilmslow
Tuesday 3 March. We're joining the Bollin Valley Partnership to undertake coppicing and dead hedging work at Newgate Nature Reserve, Wilmslow.
Battling the Birch at Lindow Common, Wilmslow
Wednesday 25 February. We're joining the Bollin Valley Partnership to help conserve the special habitat within Lindow Common in Wilmslow by removing self-seeded Birch.
Urban Riverfly Monitoring Upskill
Wednesday 18 February. Join us for a 1 hour online training webinar that builds skills in riverfly (invertebrate) monitoring, identification, data collection, and urban water quality.
River Mersey Guided Walk & Litter Pick on the Mersey Valley Way, Stockport
Friday 6 February 2026
Farm Demonstration Day - Rostherne, Cheshire
Tuesday 3 February. An event for farmers and landowners. Join us for a Farm Demonstration Day at Rostherne Mere, Cheshire to discover cost-effective ways to boost land productivity and filter water with ponds & reed beds!
Alt Crossens Newsletter
A look back at the projects and achievements in 2025 in the Alt Crossens catchment and what is happening in 2026
Outfall Safari Training for Citizen Scientists
Thursday 28 January. Join us for an online training session for the public to learn about outfall safari citizen science river surveys
River Mersey Guided Walk & Litter Pick: Mersey Valley Way, Stockport
Friday 23 January 2026
Mersey Valley Way
Mersey Rivers Trust is delighted that the River Mersey in Greater Manchester has been selected for the first national river walk
Litter Raft in Manchester
Adventure filmmaker Raphael Holt raising awareness of the litter & flytipping issues facing Manchester’s waterways
Manchester College Water Quality STEM Session
Soil and Water Health Day
Thursday 30th October
We are hiring ! Finance & Governance Manager
🌿 Join Mersey Rivers Trust and Help Make a Real Impact for Rivers, Wildlife and Communities! 🌿 
Vision for Sustainable Water Management in Liverpool City Region
Ambitious new vision to clean up rivers, prevent flooding and maintain water supplies
View All