River Ver and Verulamium Park Lakes Improvement Project

Update:  The feasibility study is now available to view

The Environment Agency, Affinity Water, St Albans City and District Council and Hertfordshire County Council’s Countryside Management Service (CMS) are working together to develop proposals that will improve the River Ver, the Verulamium Park lakes and the wider river area through St Albans. 

The River Ver is a chalk stream, which is an incredibly rare type of habitat with only around 200 in the world. Sadly the Ver, like many of our chalk streams, is in a very poor condition, largely as a result of historical alterations. We want to return the river, as it runs through St Albans, to a more natural state that will bring benefits to wildlife and people. The project is part of the Chalk Streams Partnership, a wider programme of work that will improve six chalk streams.

The project area has been split into six sections or ‘reaches’ which cover the River Ver from Verulamium Park through to Sopwell Mill Farm. 

Working with our consultants, AECOM, we have developed a feasibility study. This document is now available to download. 

The plans meet the project objectives and bring tremendous benefits for the river, its wildlife, and the people of St. Albans for years to come. This really is a once in a lifetime opportunity to address the historical and current issues and deliver sustainable opportunities on a substantial scale.