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A programme of desilting works will be conducted in waterways around Sandwich including along the Ropewalk where dead fish were found floating.
The Environment Agency and Dover District Council (DDC) have announced the scheme which is due to get underway early next year.
It comes after calls from fisherman Andy Duncan to better maintain the algae-ridden waterway along the Ropewalk where he discovered - and pictured - a number of lifeless fish, in August.
The works include removing silt and sediment from ‘The Guesting’ between Brewery Sluice to Strand Street to help maintain the flow of the Delf Stream and reduce flood risk to local properties.
There are also plans to de-silt the main pond in the Gazen Salts Nature Reserve.
Cllr MJ Holloway, said: “This is an important project that restores the Delf Stream as a historic watercourse, whilst also providing much needed flood protection to local properties.
“A project of this scale inevitably involves some disruption, but we’ll be keeping the local community informed as the project progresses.”
Preparatory works by DDC have already started.
This includes a topographical survey of Gallows Field where the silt will be deposited, which will be supported by an archaeological watch and brief during the works.
Before the desilting can start, DDC will also have to clear the riverbanks between the Gazen Salts car park and the Gazen Salts Nature Reserve so that the Environment Agency and its contractors can access the Delf with specialist plant and machinery.
Where possible, the authority says, trees will be retained by crown-lifting the lowest branches, but a number of trees will have to removed.
The works along the Ropewalk and The Butts are outside the scope of the Delf Stream project and will be carried out by DDC, with advice sought from the Environment Agency.
It is a continuation of works, which cost £2,300, carried out in January 2020.
The project is supported by Sandwich Town Council and the River Stour (Kent) Internal Drainage Board.
