Restoration of the rivers Brede, Cole and Skerne: a joint Danish and British EU-LIFE demonstration project, I—Setting up and delivery of the project

In recent years there has been considerable interest in the benefits of, and the mechanisms for, comprehensive river restoration schemes. 2. In 1994 work began on a collaborative project in Denmark and the UK to restore three lengths of degraded rivers, supported by EU LIFE funds and the country's statutory bodies responsible for river management and environmental protection. 3. The restoration project is a demonstration exercise, incorporating unprecedented environmental monitoring to determine the extent of benefit. The pioneering nature of the partnership project provides many lessons which should be of great benefit to future promoters of river restoration schemes. 4. This paper describes how to develop large multi-disciplinary partnerships, indicating the need for visionary plans, sound designs, professional project management and legal agreements which assure partners of their responsibilities and provide safeguards for sites in the future. 5. Investment in professional planning and project development has been a major factor in attracting further funding to benefit both the UK and Danish restoration sites.