Before barriers can be removed, important groundwork must be carried out. Our A2 grants support pre-demolition activities that prepare barriers for removal under an ORP demolition grant (A4). Our B1 grants support preparatory work when a third party will finance the demolition itself.
Pre-demolition work can face unexpected administrative, political, or logistical challenges. Grantees’ experiences show that these preparatory stages, though less visible than the demolition itself, are fundamental to a project’s success. Here are the key lessons learnt.
Engage stakeholders and landowners early. Preliminary communication with all parties involved and/or affected by the removal is essential to avoid misunderstandings and conflicting expectations. Grantees repeatedly emphasised that building trust and transparency from the start is crucial. The main takeaways are:
- Approach the landowner(s) before applying for a grant and ensure that they support the project with a written agreement. Their support is a deal-breaker for the project’s success.
- Identify key stakeholders early – anglers, local groups, municipalities and other authorities – and reach out to them individually before formal meetings.
- Adapt the engagement approach to the local context. In some areas, informal events or small group discussions may work better than large public meetings.
- Keep people informed throughout the process, even when progress is slow or uncertain. Regular updates help prevent misinformation.
It is equally important to make early contact with national or regional water administrations and regulatory bodies. This helps to clarify procedural requirements and can lead to “in principle” agreements before formal permit submissions.
“Sometimes, the real heroes of river restoration projects are the local people who live in the area. For example, a mayor who strongly believes in the project and helps to ensure the necessary approvals and permits, or even a neighbour who motivates others to support the removal of the infrastructure. On the other hand, these same local individuals can be the ones who prevent such processes from moving forward.”
Work with strong and credible partners. It is important to work with partners who already have an interest in rivers and restoration. These partners can range from NGOs to angling associations, research institutes and universities or local environmental groups. They not only bring legitimacy, expertise, and community trust to the project, but also credibility in conversations with authorities and landowners.
Engage contractors and gather technical information from the start. Early involvement of consultants and contractors helps avoid delays and ensures technical feasibility. Grantees recommend the following practices:
- Contact specialist consultants early in the project, before their schedules are full.
- Obtain multiple quotes for each task to maintain flexibility in case costs rise or schedules change.
- Conduct surveys at appropriate times of the year – for example, sediment and flow conditions can vary significantly between seasons.
- Consider riverbank stability, and sediment dynamics in the feasibility study phase to avoid surprises later.
- Identify whether infrastructure is present in the proximity of the barrier (e.g. bridge) and, if needed, ensure that the removal will not impact it through a scour analysis.
- Collect as much site data as possible (utilities, construction drawings, site conditions) to prevent technical studies rework.
- Ensure you are familiar with all documentation required for permit applications and barrier removal to minimise the risk of delays and avoid the need for additional studies during the removal phase.
- Check whether your country has specific regulations on invasive species that might restrict barrier removal to prevent invasive fish from spreading upstream or downstream.
Respect cultural and social values alongside technical goals. Planning river restoration goes beyond engineering: cultural heritage, community perspectives, and historical uses of structures all need to be considered. Grantees advise to:
- Manage expectations and emotions around demolition carefully.
- Be open, transparent, and responsive about what a removal might involve – this is critical to maintaining trust and keeping stakeholders engaged throughout the process.
- Respect cultural values and local pride, strengthening long-term stewardship of restored rivers.
- Look for opportunities to add social value through small improvements – restoring river paths, improving bridges, or installing interpretative signage about the river’s history.
Prepare a solid project plan. A good pre-demolition or enabling project is clear, realistic, and well-scoped. Grantees highlight the importance of:
- Ensuring adequate contingency time for permits, engagement, and contractor coordination.
- Linking technical studies directly to practical outcomes that will support eventual removal (not just research).
- Ensuring early agreement among all parties on the project’s objectives and expected next steps.
Pre-demolition and enabling projects lay the groundwork for successful dam removals. They ensure that technical, social, and environmental factors are properly understood and managed before any physical work begins. By engaging stakeholders early, working with trusted partners, coordinating effectively with contractors, and respecting local values, grantees can build trust and knowledge, strengthening community support for the project. At the Open Rivers Programme, we are here to support every step of the journey from identifying, prioritising, preparing, and then removing barriers. We expect all identification and pre-demolition projects to lead to one or more barrier removals.
