Historic river flowing through Bedminster set to be unearthed

It has been confirmed that a historic river that flows through the heart of south Bristol but is largely concealed beneath ground level will soon be unearthed.

Lost segments of the River Malago trapped in a culvert for years will now be restored as part of wider regeneration proposals for Bedminster Green.

At present, the upper reaches of the river at Dundry Hill, close to the borders of Somerset and Bristol, support wildlife such as kingfishers and herons.

However, urban stretches of the five-mile-long tributary of the River Avon have been damaged by the “industrial legacy of the area” and the river in Bedminister is now “largely out of sight and of poor quality”.

A consultation report published last year by Bristol City Council found that the open stretches of the river’s straight masonry walls were “in a poor state of repair” and the penstock within the river had “fallen into disrepair”.

Under wider plans for Bedminster Green, said to give sustainability “a major boost” in the area, the river will be brought to the surface to stimulate biodiversity and decrease flood risk in the area.

Beginning on Monday, January 10, plans in south Bristol will also see the installation of a district heat network pipework and major works to public transport, walking and cycling connections along Malago Road and Dalby Avenue.

Bedminster Green’s regeneration project has so far seen the approval of plans for 819-bed student accommodation complex on Dalby Avenue – image courtesy Deeley Freed

Works will be funded through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which is money that councils can charge developers for certain building projects.

The River Malago flows alongside the currently vacant land to the north of the railway line, west of Hereford Street before flowing into a culvert under Hereford Street and the existing public green space by Whitehouse Lane.

The river emerges above ground alongside Clarke Street and flows along the boundary to Dalby Street Car Park before entering another underground pipe beneath Dalby Avenue.

The council will be retaining a one system of traffic management in the area from January 2022 – diagram courtesy of Bristol City Council

As well as resurfacing these submerged chunks of the river, Bristol City Council is working with developers to reduce ground levels to create a submersible area in the event of flooding and to naturalise the watercourse by removing channel walls and replacing them with a vegetated bank.

The council have said the Malago’s restoration will create “a new high-quality space for people to enjoy”.

…………………………………..

Read more: Controversial plans for 819-bed student accomodation complex approved

…………………………………..

Marvin Rees, mayor of Bristol, has commended the plans as a “significant opportunity to bring the new and affordable homes we need to the city in a way that responds to the climate and ecological emergencies”.

“Alongside making it easier to travel and heat homes more sustainably, the restoration of the River Malago will bring ecological net gains to the area, helping improve the local environment for residents and wildlife alike.”

The works on Bedminster Green are expected to be in place until Summer 2024 and more detail on plans for the river restoration will be shared in 2022.

Main photo: Anthony O’Neil

Read more: The hidden river flowing underneath Bristol city centre

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: