Public perceptions of river corridors and attitudes towards river works

The Environment Agency has accepted the need for public participation in decisions concerning river management in keeping with Agenda 21 concerns for environmental policies that command a good measure of public support. In the past, public participation has often relied upon consultations involving formal meetings with interest groups and local politicians. Methods of public consultation are changing. In tapping public opinion the Environment Agency now relies less on public meetings and increasingly more on a direct approach and involvement of the public. Research at Middlesex University is part of the attempt to provide opportunities for the representation of views of the lay public to be considered within the management of rivers and river corridors. The research has used surveys of representative samples of members of the public, often at riverside sites. This paper reports on some of the research projects that have developed on these themes, and analyses the implications of their results for river management and the protection of nature conservation values.