A little known valley in the depths of west London is the focus of an exciting scheme to breathe life into a neglected river – one whose waters are rich in history and a precious home for wildlife.

The Crane Valley Project was set up to restore habitats and improve accessibility along the River Crane – one of the most natural rivers in London which rises in Harrow as the Yeading Brook and flows through Hillingdon (becoming the Crane), Ealing, Hounslow and Richmond where it reaches the Thames.

Mills have existed on the River Crane since 1066. Flour, oil and even gunpowder have been milled on the River at various times.  Indeed, it was known by some as the Powder Mill River. The largest crack willow in the country grows craggy by its waters and nationally rare water voles burrow in the soft earth of its banks.

Some stretches of the River Crane and Yeading Brook are cared for and appreciated by local communities and teem with colourful dragonflies and plants such as the vibrant purple loosestrife. But while kingfishers make the most of this rich habitat, much of the river can’t be seen, let alone appreciated by people. And many of its bordering green places are strewn with rubbish, marred by graffiti and unwelcoming.

In 2007 The Crane Valley Project (set up by a partnership of London Wildlife Trust, London boroughs, public, voluntary and private stakeholders) received initial funding from Heritage Lottery Fund to plan a strategy for enhancing the quality of the fantastic green places that border the river and improving the links between them.

The Crane Valley Project hopes to raise funds to enable a three year programme of conservation and community activity concentrating on target areas along the river. These are:

• Roxbourne Park and Roxbourne Rough in Harrow. Neighbouring sites that could also benefit include Yeading Brook Open Space and Streamside Open Space.

• Yeading Brook Fields in Hillingdon and Ealing. Neighbouring areas that could also benefit include Ickenham Marsh.

• Crane Park in the boroughs of Richmond and Hounslow. Neighbouring areas that could also benefit include Donkey Wood and Hounslow Heath. Longer term, the partnership hopes to restore habitats and paths along the entire river, from Harrow to the Thames at Isleworth Ait.

If you would like to help care for the river or visit any of the nature reserves and parks beside Yeading Brook and the Crane, please contact Sarah Woodcock, our Crane Valley Project Officer - swoodcock@wildlondon.org.uk or 020 8755 2339

FORCE (Friends of the River Crane Environment)
Harrow Nature Conservation Forum

London Wildlife Trust reserves along the river

Crane Park Island
Gutteridge Wood
Ickenham Marsh
Isleworth Ait
Ten Acre Wood and Meadows
Yeading Brook Meadows

Walking by the river

Much of the river has a path running alongside and it is possible to start walking near its source in Harrow all the way south to the Thames – though the last part has to follow its tributary, the Duke of Northumberland’s river, rather than the Crane itself.

Hillingdon Trail

London Outer Orbital Path
Willow Tree Wander
River Crane Walk

Crane Valley Partnership Mission

Our vision is for a well managed and high quality river corridor which is accessible to all, in which wildlife can thrive and local people can take pride and ownership.

• To maximise the use of the river corridor as a resource for healthier living and educational activities to improve quality of life for local people

• To develop a co-ordinated strategic plan that will raise awareness and support appropriate action for conservation, restoration or new approaches to design and management of the River Valley. This strategy will operate across political and geographical boundaries, as part of a regional approach to planning in west London

• To use its knowledge, expertise and resources to help partners and communities to work together for a co-ordinated and sustainable approach to managing and improving the River Crane and its tributaries

• To be the catalyst for improving and protecting the biodiversity of native flora and fauna by contributing to London’s Rivers and Streams Habitat Action Plan and working across boundaries to control pernicious weeds and pests

Crane Valley Partners

London Boroughs of Harrow, Ealing, Hillingdon, Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames.
FORCE – Friends of the River Crane Environment
London Wildlife Trust
Green Corridor
Natural England
Environment Agency
Thames Water Utilities Ltd
BAA plc
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (Barnes)
Royal Parks Agency
Greater London Authority
Walk London
English Heritage
CiP