River Deben breach at the Ufford Hole creates biodiversity and river flow crisis

The 400-year old Hawkeswade Bridge and nearby Ufford Hole on the River Deben have been a popular spot for walkers and for wild swimmers for many years. Residents of Ufford awoke on Monday this week to find a small breach in the weir with water levels falling rapidly, draining the Hole and lowering river levels on both sides of the bridge.

By late Tuesday, a large section of the weir structure had fallen away and water levels had dropped by over a metre, leaving the downstream channel in puddles towards Old Melton Mill. All the water from the Deben was now flowing down a side channel towards the East Suffolk Train Line and the footbridge over the weir had partially collapsed.

This is not just a problem for walkers and farmers but has created significant damage to habitats along a large stretch of the river. There is also a threat to the footings of the railway embankment of the East Suffolk Train Line. This section of the river and its surrounding water meadows are important for flood resilience and over the years have become less effective, with silt and reed growth clogging the flow. Action will be needed not just to repair the breach but also to make the area more resilient for the future.

The Lower Deben Owner’s Group (LDOG), a local landowner consortium, and Ufford Parish Council are working together with the Environment Agency and others to create plans to stem the breach and repair the weir. Following an inspection, Suffolk County Council Public Rights of Way team removed the footbridge on Wednesday 1st April and have closed access to the public footpath.

Sir Michael Bunbury, Chair of the Lower Deben Owner’s Group said: "This event highlights the importance that the main river should be an effective carrier of water. We look forward to coming together with all interested parties to help resolve the issue and see the footpath restored as soon as possible.”

David Findley, Chair of Ufford Parish Council said: “This breach and loss of water in the River Deben is a shock to the community, to walkers and to those who enjoy the countryside, but it has also created a biodiversity crisis in the river through loss of habitats and aquatic species. We hope that agencies, landowners and other stakeholders can come together quickly to work to repair the damaged weir and area around it.”