Huge project to map England’s longest river will inspire new vision for all - The Wildlife Trusts
Economic, environmental and societal benefits of river restoration to be analysed from source to sea for first time
Today (10 September 2025), The Wildlife Trusts and RSA Insurance, an Intact company, announce a new 18-month project to map and analyse the economic, environmental and societal benefits of restoring nature along the Trent, England’s longest river from source to sea. The opportunities for nature-based solutions along its 223.5 miles will be examined allowing the partners to create a transformational vision for the Trent’s future, and a blueprint for restoring all rivers in England for the first time.
At a time when flood, drought, polluted water and lack of access to nature are major threats, the Rivers 2040 project aims seize the opportunity for change presented by the closure of power stations and gravel pits, changes in farming and a post-industrial future for people living along the Trent.
A new approach to restoring rivers chimes with the independent Cunliffe Review of water management which called for integrated action to tackle pressures from the water industry and other sectors. UK Government is expected to progress new legislation to enact this.
Rivers 2040 analysis will identify opportune land use changes and ideal locations for:
- Flood risk management such as through reconnecting rivers to their floodplains
- Providing people with access to nature, recreation and tourism opportunities
- Agriculture and fisheries
- Aggregate extraction alongside restoration of natural habitats
- Protecting wildlife habitats and restoring others, for example, to help salmon migrate and bring back keystone species such as beavers to manage the habitat