Water levels in the river will continue to rise and fall by up to a metre a day, creating ideal opportunities for establishing habitat features such as reedbeds. These valuable wetland habitats are also being created throughout the Olympic Park to encourage a diverse array of native plants and animals.

A fish pass is also being incorporated into the structure to enable a variety of fish species to cross between the river system and the Thames tideway to the south.

‘The river system in this area has suffered for years from dreadful pollution, particularly from sewage outfalls at Abbey Mills,’ explained Leela O’Dea, BW London, ecologist. ‘This project is one element of a series of measures to help us clean up the rivers and give nature a helping hand in re-establishing a wonderful green corridor through east London.’

It will also enable us to bring boats back to Stratford for the first time in decades, she added, whilst providing a sustainable mode of transport bringing benefits to the environment.