You may have noticed that there is something different with the River Medway.

From Monday, water levels have been lowered in part of the county to allow the Environment Agency to carry out major repairs for the next five weeks.

The coordinated effort by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, DEFRA, the Environment Agency and the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership (MVCP) will focus on the stretch of river between the Leigh Flood Storage Area and Tonbridge Town Lock.

Water levels are expected to remain low for up to five weeks.

This will enable the council to carry out further repairs to the riverbank’s wooden retaining wall between Tonbridge Swimming Pool and the nearby canoe club.

In the second phase of works, which first started two years ago, rotting timbers will be replaced to help protect the bank from erosion.

Two days of rubbish removal have also been scheduled for Thursday, March 21 and April 4.

Previous clean ups have found glass bottles, scrap metal, supermarket trollies, bikes, chairs and car tyres.

The council’s waste services team will provide litter-picking equipment, as well as removing and disposing of the items collected.

Cllr Robin Betts, cabinet member for the environment and climate change said: “We couldn’t carry out huge operations like this without great partnership working and vital help from specially trained volunteers so I’d like to thank everyone involved.

“I’ve no doubt this team effort will have a huge positive impact on the environment.”

Nick Dundon, navigation team leader from the Environment Agency added: “We draw down the River Medway in sections between locks every winter for our routine annual maintenance inspections.

“The reduced river levels allow us to safely inspect the river assets at the locks and make any necessary repairs.

“This is an essential part of managing the navigation, keeping the river safe and clear for boats and other river users to enjoy, and helps reduce flood risk.

“It also gives us an opportunity to do a river clearance which will benefit people and wildlife.”