River Test Weed Cutting Dates 2025

 Incuding the River Dever, Anton, Pillhill Brook, Dun and Bourne Rivulet

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Dates for the River Test weed cutting periods have been agreed by the Environment Agency and the Test and Itchen Association for 2025.
Cutting will start at the top of the river  with slight changes as we move further down the system.

WINTER OPEN PERIOD

Weed may be cut any time after 14 October 2024 until 26 April 2025. Owners are asked to ensure that cutting is completed before trout spawning begins and that bank side vegetation is not allowed to fall in the river.

IMPORTANT NOTES

Cutting should start at the beginning of the dates allowed. Please inform your downstream neighbour when you have finished clearing off and of any subsequent problems. Regular communication with your neighbours upstream and downstream is essential to ensure trouble-free weed cutting and clearing down. Weed cutting boats should finish one day before the end of each cutting period.

The Environment Agency has granted consent for the general cutting of weed on the River Test, and approved the dates overleaf. In the event of low river flows (and high water temperatures) the Environment Agency may request that weed cuts are postponed or reduced in extent in order to maintain water levels and quality. Cutting of weed outside of the authorised dates, without the Agency’s consent, constitutes an offence under Section 90 of the Water Resources Act 1991

Grass cuttings and bank trimmings must NEVER be put into the river. Depositing any form of solid waste in the river, including bankside vegetation, is strictly prohibited under Sections 85 and 90 of the Water Resources Act 1991

Riparian owners are asked to carry out bank maintenance and other works likely to cause displacement of silt before Christmas, to avoid damage to spawning. The advice of the Agency should be sought before the commencement of any work and the necessary land drainage consents obtained.

Weed cutting should be undertaken in a manner which is sensitive to the needs of the river habitat. Overzealous or indiscriminate cutting of river weed or marginal vegetation can negatively impact habitat for healthy fly life, fish and other wildlife.

River Test & Itchen Association.

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Weedcutting

Sector A: River Test from source to the A34 bridge near Whitchurch and Bourne

Sector B1: River Test from the A34 bridge near Whitchurch to top of Middleton Estate at Longparish

Rivers Anton, Pillhill and Dever

Sector B2: River Test from top of Middleton Estate at Longparish to top of Wherwell Priory (B3420)

Sector C: River Test from top of Wherwell Priory (B3420) to the boundary between Leckford Estate and the Houghton Club at Longstock

Sector D: River Test from boundary between Leckford Estate and the Houghton Club at Longstock to the road between Horsebridge and Bossington Mill

Sector E: River Test from the road between Horsebridge and Bossington Mill to the weed boom at Greatbridge plus Wallop Brook

RIVER DUN: from source to confluence with River Test at Kimbridge

Sector F: River Test from the weed boom at Greatbridge to the sea.