The Hogsmill Local Nature Reserve is a combination of open grassy rides and woodland copses with the Hogsmill River meandering through, and to the north, the Bonesgate Stream. The first section of the Hogsmill River is classed as a Chalk Stream, which is internationally important and one of only 200 in the world! It is noted for its nesting habitat for Kingfishers, which nest in the riverbanks and a range of other bird, mammal and insect species.

The Stepping Stones in the Hogsmill River

The Stepping Stones are a much-loved local feature on the Hogsmill river and have helped generations of local people connect with and enjoy the river for more than 40 years.

The South East Rivers Trust, the Environment Agency and Epsom & Ewell Borough Council all want the Hogsmill river to remain accessible and safely enjoyed by the local community. We are working together to explore options for restoring and maintaining safe access across the river at this location.

The Environment Agency, which owns the riverbed and banks, but not the steps or stepping stones, has made the difficult decision to temporarily close the river crossing at this point. This is following safety concerns raised by the local community and a reported incident in which someone was injured. The steps leading down to the river are also unsafe. Heavy use by dogs entering the river at this point has caused erosion around the steps, making them unstable and a hazard. At present, the Environment Agency considers the closure to be an interim measure while discussions continue about public liability and responsibility for maintaining the stepping stones and the steps to access them.

In addition, gravel carried downstream through the Chamber Mead wetland has built up where it joins the Hogsmill river. This has increased water levels upstream and, combined with exceptionally high groundwater levels after the very wet winter, has left the steps underwater for much of this year. The South East Rivers Trust has permission to move some of this gravel to help lower water levels, but this work cannot take place until after the fish spawning season ends in mid-June. Even once water levels are reduced, responsibility for the long-term maintenance of the stepping stones remains unclear.

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council is exploring possible long-term solutions, however, until a public body formally takes responsibility for maintaining the structure and access steps, the long-term future of the stepping stones remains uncertain.

The South East Rivers Trust, the Environment Agency and Epsom & Ewell Borough Council are committed to working together to find a solution to this issue, to ensure that the Hogsmill river can continue to be safely enjoyed by the local community and visitors in the future.