TRRT is a charity dedicated to improving the river and its tributaries to benefit people and nature. We take an overview of the whole of the Thames and its tributaries, as a river basin approach is needed to restore the system to full health. We work in co-operation with the many groups active in the area, including Thames 21, The Wandle Trust, and Thames Estuary Partnership among others. TRRT is in a unique position on the doorstep of national decision makers in Parliament, government and the City of London. Our activities are very visible to those decision makers and can help persuade them to improve rivers nationwide.

Many parts of the Thames system still suffer from problems such as pollution, physical alteration, low water flows and loss of wildlife habitat; which reduce the quality of life for people. There are national and local government agencies working to improve the Thames system; but their legal duties as regulators do not always allow them to take a lead in restoration works. The Trust helps government agencies, local authorities, NGOs, anglers, recreational users, riparian landowners and communities work together more effectively

Our aims for the River Thames and its tributaries include:

• Significant stretches restored to a natural structure, to enable functioning natural processes and sustainable ecosystems
• As natural a flow regime as possible, for ecosystem health, continuation of biological processes and a sustainable supply of water for human use
• Being as free of pollution as possible, so as to meet water quality standards
• All of the typical habitats of the river and its associated wetlands are restored in places so as to support sustainable populations of native species including fish
• Flood management includes natural processes where possible, including storage in floodplain wetlands and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems
• Disadvantaged groups such as young people from deprived areas and the less able having better access to rivers for quiet recreation and angling
• Every river in Thames basin having some high quality stretches accessible to the public for the purpose of quiet enjoyment

TRRT helps restore the Thames and its tributaries through a five point strategy:

• Policy work - lobbying national government to improve legislation and funding for river restoration, sustainable water management and restoring wildlife
• Planning – helping produce the Thames River Basin Management Plan, London Rivers Action Plan and Thames Water Resources Plan
• Practical projects – setting up projects to demonstrate how to improve rivers for people and nature, cost effectively and adapting to climate change
• Promotion – including education and awareness raising of the public, through our website, newsletters, events and activities
• People - involving them in solutions through volunteering, supporting the trust or in helping to shape plans and projects

Robert Oates, Director
Thames Rivers Restoration Trust
c/o West Berkshire Council     Faraday Road     Newbury     Berkshire     RG14 2AF
T: (07786) 126523   W: www.trrt.org.uk