The Wandle

The Wandle has always been too small for navigation but served well for mills and to produce power for working metals, leather and even gunpowder. It also ran through parks, gardens and estates, and was particularly famous for its crystal-clear water and the quality of the trout. By the mid-19th century, though, pollution had become a problem.  With London industry and commerce expanding rapidly into north Surrey long sections of the river became lined with buildings. The banks were often mistreated, built up with concrete for example, and the river itself was polluted and used as a rubbish dump. More recently, though, the public and consequently politicians have paid more attention to the environment generally and to the river is steadily becoming again an attractive amenity, and a refuge for wildlife in the urban landscape.