Deculverting: reviewing the evidence on the ‘daylighting’ and restoration of culverted rivers

We review published references on ‘deculverting’ (also known as ‘daylighting’) projects in the United Kingdom and internationally. The aim of the review was to assess the objectives of implemented projects and to establish where evidence exists for the purported social, economic and environmental benefits of deculverting. The outcomes highlight the need for collaboration to collate detailed information on such projects, to support the further development of evidence‐based policy. It is clear that deculverting schemes can indeed exert considerable positive impacts, including ecological benefits, reduced flood risks, recreation for local communities and a stimulus for regeneration, but that the evidence for these impacts is sparse. We conclude that improvements in policy will help to maximise these opportunities, by encouraging the implementation of good practices.