Fish on The Butts;

Some initial inspections have been completed, the parks and open spaces team are visiting again around midday. They are liaising with the Environment Agency about what action can be taken ASAP.

Sandwich Junior School PTFA would be extremely grateful if our community could choose our school on your Asda Rewards app to help raise money. It’s really easy to do and raises us free cash! This is only open to primary schools who are registered with Parentkind. This is running between September to November so let’s see how much we can raise 😊 thank you everyone ❤️

See below for latest update from DDC regarding the new bridge works on The Butts.

Another disappointing delay.

You will be aware that in April of this year Dover District Council stopped works on the new bridge at the northern end of Butts, after discovering evidence of water voles in the construction area. The Council is working with Natural England and specialist consultants to agree a new approach, and we hope to recommence works in April 2025. In the meantime, you may notice ecological survey work underway.

Once the new crossing point is in place, Dover District Council will commission desilting works at the Butts, which is likely to take place in September or October 2025. Arisings will be taken across the new bridge to DDC owned land nearby. We will also seek to cut back reeds in the waterway next summer.

These combined actions, plus installation of a wider bore pipe beneath the existing river crossing near The Butts play area, are being implemented to improve the conditions of the waterway. The project was shaped in accordance with advice received from various experts, including the Internal Drainage Board. Due complex interactions between environmental factors such as water flow rates, nutrient levels, and temperature it is not possible to predict exactly the outcome, however construction of the new crossing will enable more regular desilting.