Local volunteers take part in Chelmsford’s Big River Clean Up

The Chelmsford community came together on Saturday 27 June to volunteer at this year’s Big River Clean Up.

Returning for another successful year, the popular event welcomed over 60 helpful volunteers who gave up their morning to help care for the city’s waterways.

Over 60 volunteers helped clean up litter from Chelmsford's rivers and the surrounding area.

A community effort

Organised by Chelmsford City Council’s Environmental Sustainability team as part of the Love Your Chelmsford initiative, the Big River Clean Up was open to all. Individuals, families, community groups and local businesses all took part, with many familiar faces returning to lend a hand.

Special thanks go to Chelmsford Scuba Diving Club, SUPsect Paddleboarders, Chelmsford Canoe Club, Chelmsford Litter Wombles, Chelmsford Mildmay Rotary Club and the Rapid Relief Team, who all played a key role in leading the volunteer effort.

Paddleboarders volunteering at the Big River Clean Up 2026.

Volunteers met at Baddow Road car park at 9am, where they were provided with all the necessary equipment, including litter pickers, bin bags and protective gloves. Teams then headed out along the waterways to remove litter and improve the local environment.

The clean-up ran until midday and finished with much-appreciated refreshments provided by the Rapid Relief Team, as a thank you to everyone who took part.

Thanks to Rapid Relief Team for providing much-appreciated refreshments, and getting involved in the clean up too.

Working together to protect local rivers

Activity took place both on and off the water. Paddleboarders and divers helped remove debris and rubbish from the river itself, while volunteers on land filled up many bags of litter collected along the banks and nearby paths.

Volunteers removed many large items from the waterways, including shopping trolleys, shopping baskets (one fully laden with tins), traffic cones, an office chair, cushions and roadworks barriers.

The coordinated approach on land and water helped ensure as much waste as possible was removed, including items that were difficult to reach. Plastic bottles, glass and cans were separated for recycling.

Chelmsford’s rivers, the Chelmer and the Can, play an important role in supporting wildlife and providing attractive green spaces for residents and visitors. Removing litter helps protect these environments and improve water quality.

With river pollution continuing to affect waterways across the UK, community initiatives like the Big River Clean Up are key for raising awareness and encouraging responsible behaviour.

Cllr Simon Goldman, Cabinet Deputy for Cleaner Communities, said:

“

“Once again, there was a fantastic turnout for this annual event, with an outstanding level of commitment shown by everyone who took part. Each year, our volunteers do an incredible job, and it is often quite shocking to learn about the items recovered from the river. While it’s concerning that these things end up there in the first place, it really highlights the strength of our community that so many people are willing to step up and help keep our environment clean.”

Cllr Simon Goldman, Cabinet Deputy for Cleaner Communities

It's a team effort to remove litter from Chelmsford's waterways.

Please don’t jump into Chelmsford’s rivers and waterways

Chelmsford’s rivers and bridges are an important part of the local landscape, but they also present risks and can be locations for anti-social behaviour.

Cold water temperatures, strong currents and hidden hazards make entering the water dangerous. Even during warm weather and heatwaves, cold water shock can occur, affecting breathing and movement.

Residents are reminded not to swim in rivers or jump from bridges, no matter how tempting it might seem on a hot day. Local clubs like SUPsect Paddleboarders, Chelmsford Scuba Diving Club and Chelmsford Canoe Club offer opportunities to enjoy the waterways safely, or please consider visiting one of Chelmsford’s excellent swimming pools instead.

Find out more

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