The designs aim to improve channel morphology, as well as achieve wider benefits including improved amenity and recreational value, active travel opportunities and access/ connection to the River Leven.
Fife Council, funded and working in partnership with SEPA Water Environment Fund (WEF), have commissioned cbec to lead the production of concept designs (RIBA Stage 2), developed designs (RIBA Stage 3), pre-construction preparation (RIBA 4) and Construction and Monitoring (RIBA 5 and 6), for restoration options to improve the physical condition of the lower ~4 km of the River Leven, from Windygates to Levenmouth, Fife. The designs aim to improve channel morphology, as well as achieve wider benefits including improved amenity and recreational value, active travel opportunities and access/ connection to the River Leven.
To ensure effective delivery of the works, the site has been split into four phases, allowing design development and construction to be staggered. Phase 1, which includes the creation of wetland and wet woodland habitat, installation of large wood structures and bank reprofiling, was constructed in September/ October 2023, with cbec supervising the build. Associated planting works are expected to be complete in winter 2023/24. Designs for the three remaining phases (2-4) are currently under development and will include weir removal, creation of a rock ramp on a second weir to improve fish passage, the creation wetland scrapes, removal of hard bank protection, bank reprofiling and riparian planting.
To date, the project has included a significant amount of liaison with a wide range of stakeholders, several landowners and a number of parallel projects which form part of the wider River Leven Programme. cbec has supported and, where required, led these discussions, including presenting at two community engagement events, virtual stakeholder workshops and undertaking walkovers of the site to explain restoration proposals.
During the delivery of this project, cbec has been supported by RSK Geosciences, Walking-the-Talk, Forth Rivers Trust, Tweddell and Slater and Trex Ecology.
