Piles of fallen trees have been pulled from the River Wensum as phase one of a footpath clear-up is completed in Fakenham. 

Over the last 12 months, David Hunter, clerk of Fakenham Racecourse and town councillor has worked tirelessly alongside local land owners, councils, highways officials, and environmental groups to see the path along the bank of the River Wensum between the Wensum Lodge Bridge and Three Brick Arches bridge cleaned up.

Funding from Norfolk County Council, the Environment Agency, both the Fakenham and national Ramblers, Fakenham Town Council, Fakenham Racecourse and Gallow Sports Centre allowed them to clear up fallen trees, which were blocking the path and affecting the river. 

Eastern Daily Press: Branches piled up on the side of the footpath along the River Wensum in FakenhamBranches piled up on the side of the footpath along the River Wensum in Fakenham (Image: Aaron McMillan)

Highways workers are on the site repairing 300 metres of the path, which connects the Wensum Lodge Bridge to the Three Brick Arches.

A closure notice is in place until May 2023.

During the summer of 2021, Mr Hunter spoke to relevant bodies about the dire state of the area and how he wanted to clear the site once and for all. 

The Wensum, a chalk stream habitat, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. 

Eastern Daily Press: Trees in the River Wensum, taken in 2021 by David Hunter, during the clean upTrees in the River Wensum, taken in 2021 by David Hunter, during the clean up (Image: David Hunter)

Last December, after getting clearance from the relevant bodies, he and another individual attempted the work, but they saw exactly the mammoth task ahead of them.

“When we started pulling out the trees, we saw just how bad the natural rubbish was,” Mr Hunter said.

“So many trees have fallen in, slowing the pace of the river and causing the water level to rise, we needed to do something about it.”

Eastern Daily Press: A notice about the project at the entry of the footpath near Aldiss ParkA notice about the project at the entry of the footpath near Aldiss Park (Image: Aaron McMillan)

He enlisted the help of the Norfolk Rivers Drainage Board, and Paul George, who devised a plan.

They came up with a budget for the project and got in touch with people who could help.

The project cost £40,736.85, with Norfolk County Council donating £26,646.85. 

Local landowners allowed the team access to their land to clean up, as well as leaving trees and other resources on their boundary, which will become habits for animals. 

Eastern Daily Press: David Hunter, Clerk of Fakenham Racecourse was Keith last photo.

“We are so grateful to everyone that we have pulled together,” Mr Hunter added.

“This path is one of Fakenham’s greatest assets.

“Hopefully this will mean people will be able to enjoy this throughout the year and we hope we have made it a far more enjoyable and accessible place.”