River Lim (Lyme Regis) Improvement Plan
Mar 2024 Ecological Survey of the River Lim
River Lim Action’s newly published Ecological Survey sets out recommendations for improvements to the River Lim to boost wildlife and water quality.
The report by an independent freshwater ecologist¹ covers the challenges the river faces from sewage, land management, ageing infrastructure and historic engineering.
Read the summary (pdf)
Read the discussions and actions (pdf)
Graham Roberts, one of the River Lim Action² coordinators, said: “the result of all this is that we’ve got a lot of work ahead to improve the health of the river. We’ve made a start over the last year and the ecological health has improved from a low base. The river is not out of the woods yet”.
Recommendations include:
1. Overhaul of the sewage system to cut pollution
2. Continue to gather water quality data to identify where problems are
3. Farm improvements to be made in water separation systems and waste containment with protection of riverbanks by cattle fencing.
4. Make the river passable for fish and eels
5. Remove invasive species like Himalayan balsam and Japanese knotweed.
6. Improve the river’s flow with natural solutions
7. Keep monitoring invertebrates
River Lim Action has presented the report’s findings to the Town Council’s Environment Committee, which funded the survey.
Graham Roberts said: “We’re grateful to the Town Council for making this possible. We’ve come up with a set of priorities for our work based on the report and will be talking to South West Water, the Environment Agency and Dorset Council about how we can secure much needed improvements which only they can deliver. As volunteers we will do what we can – we’ve got a big job on our hands!”.
Notes to Editors
1. Dr Dominic Stubbing, of Westgate Fisheries Ltd
2. River Lim Action is part of Turn Lyme Green, a voluntary organisation based in Lyme Regis
