The Stream
The stream that runs through the park is called Yeading Brook and is a tributary of the River Crane. It rises in major part from the Headstone Manor moat, and in minor part from a small stream flowing from Pinner Park . It follows a meandering course through North Harrow, Rayners Lane, Ruislip, South Ruislip , and onwards to Southall, before its confluence with the Crane at Hayes which is a tributary of the River Thames. It is 16 miles long and walkable along most of its length, passing through a number of parks, nature reserves and open spaces, including Yeading Walk, Roxbourne Park, Ruislip Gardens open space, Ickenham Marsh , Gutteridge Wood and Meadows, Ten Acre Wood, and Yeading Brook Meadows, where it joins the Grand Union canal walk and shortly thereafter becomes the river Crane.
The Crane Valley Partnership (CVP) has operated since 2005, bringing together many organisations with an interest in the Crane Valley. It aims to restore one of London’s most natural river systems, conserve surrounding habitats and improve public access so that nearby communities can enjoy contact with the natural world.
Tackling Pollution
There are many factors that can impact the quality of rivers and streams like Yeading Brook.
UK rainfall is relatively clean until it lands on urban areas like London where it becomes increasingly polluted with silt from the guttering on your homes and road run off containing hydrocarbon pollutants which flows into the river.
Misconnected wastewater pipes from washing machines, sinks, toilets and baths flow into our rivers causing pollution and public and environmental health risks. This pollution creates toxic environments affecting the ecological status of the water, leaving many rivers unsuitable for wildlife.
The Friends of Yeading Walk group (FoYW) visually monitor the water on an on-going basis particularly in the areas of the outlet pipes entering the stream. Any suspicion of water pollution is immediately reported to Thames Water.
FoYW also work closely with the Crane Valley Partnership (CVP), an unincorporated association of charities, community groups, borough councils, private businesses & government agencies in the River Crane catchment area. Their aim is ‘to restore one of London’s most natural river systems, conserve surrounding habitats and improve public access so that nearby communities can enjoy contact with the natural world’.
How can you help?
According to Earthwatch Europe households can help prevent pollution in our rivers by reducing water usage to prevent storm overflows, avoiding flushing wet wipes, using phosphate-free detergents, and supporting local cleanup campaigns.
The FoYW hold an annual ‘Clean the Stream’ event to help clear the stream of rubbish. Please feel free to join us!
Riverfly Monitoring
Riverfly Monitoring sessions are carried out on a monthly basis to check the health of the river. The official Riverfly monitoring survey of Yeading Brook began at Yeading Walk in December 2021. This UK-wide ‘Citizen Science’ project led by The Riverfly Partnership involves taking samples from the river in a net and recording the presence and abundance of eight pollution-sensitive invertebrate groups. The focus of the sampling is on ‘riverflies’ – mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies. These tiny creatures and other tiny gammarus (fresh water shrimps) are eaten by birds and fish and are a sign of a healthy river. Sampling can also indicate the presence of pollutants. Fish have also been caught during Riverfly monitoring including Sticklebacks and Stone Loach.
