River Ingrebourne
Encyclopedia
The River Ingrebourne, 27 miles (43.3km) in length, is a tributary
of the River Thames
. It is considered a strategic waterway in London
, forming part of the Blue Ribbon Network
. It flows through the London Borough of Havering
roughly from north to south, joining the Thames at Rainham
.
, whence it flows in a southwesterly direction under the M25 motorway
through the London Borough of Havering
in north east London
. The river passes under the motorway near Junction 28, at which point the first of its tributaries, Weald Brook [2.7 miles (4.3km) in length] enters; two others - Carters Brook and Paynes Brook shortly follow. After skirting south of the built-up area of Harold Hill
the route is partly non-urban: a large area of flood-plain follows before the Ingrebourne threads between the suburbs of Upminster
and Hornchurch
. The river from here is surrounded by public open space: with Gaynes Parkway, the Ingrebourne Valley Greenway and Hornchurch Country Park
taking up the area until reaching Rainham
. Here the river divides, the main channel becoming Rainham Creek, where it flows into the Thames between Hornchurch Marshes
(to the west) and Rainham Marshes (to the east) at Old Man's Head. The second channel becomes the Wennington Sewers complex.
policy in the London Plan
.
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
. It is considered a strategic waterway in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, forming part of the Blue Ribbon Network
Blue Ribbon Network
The Blue Ribbon Network is a policy element of the London Plan relating to the naviagable waterways of London, England.Aside from the River Thames, the major components of the network are:#Grand Union Canal#Regent's Canal#River Lee Navigation#River Brent...
. It flows through the London Borough of Havering
London Borough of Havering
The London Borough of Havering is a London borough in North East London, England and forms part of Outer London. The principal town in Havering is Romford and the other main communities are Hornchurch, Upminster and Rainham. The borough is mainly characterised by suburban development with large...
roughly from north to south, joining the Thames at Rainham
Rainham, London
Rainham is a suburban town in northeast London, England, and part of the London Borough of Havering. Located east of Charing Cross, it is one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan and is surrounded by a residential area, which has grown from the historic village,...
.
Etymology
The name is recorded in 1062 as Ingceburne and is formed from the Old England 'burna', meaning stream. The meaning of the prefix is unclear, although it could refer to a person.Description
It rises near Brentwood, EssexBrentwood, Essex
Brentwood is a town and the principal settlement of the Borough of Brentwood, in the county of Essex in the east of England. It is located in the London commuter belt, 20 miles east north-east of Charing Cross in London, and near the M25 motorway....
, whence it flows in a southwesterly direction under the M25 motorway
M25 motorway
The M25 motorway, or London Orbital, is a orbital motorway that almost encircles Greater London, England, in the United Kingdom. The motorway was first mooted early in the 20th century. A few sections, based on the now abandoned London Ringways plan, were constructed in the early 1970s and it ...
through the London Borough of Havering
London Borough of Havering
The London Borough of Havering is a London borough in North East London, England and forms part of Outer London. The principal town in Havering is Romford and the other main communities are Hornchurch, Upminster and Rainham. The borough is mainly characterised by suburban development with large...
in north east London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The river passes under the motorway near Junction 28, at which point the first of its tributaries, Weald Brook [2.7 miles (4.3km) in length] enters; two others - Carters Brook and Paynes Brook shortly follow. After skirting south of the built-up area of Harold Hill
Harold Hill
Harold Hill is a place in the London Borough of Havering, east London, England. It is a suburban development situated 16.6 miles east-northeeast of Charing Cross....
the route is partly non-urban: a large area of flood-plain follows before the Ingrebourne threads between the suburbs of Upminster
Upminster
Upminster is a suburban town in northeast London, England, and part of the London Borough of Havering. Located east-northeast of Charing Cross, it is one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan, and comprises a number of shopping streets and a large residential...
and Hornchurch
Hornchurch
Hornchurch is a large suburban town in England, and part of the London Borough of Havering. Hornchurch is in North-East London .It is located east-northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan. It comprises a number of shopping...
. The river from here is surrounded by public open space: with Gaynes Parkway, the Ingrebourne Valley Greenway and Hornchurch Country Park
Hornchurch Country Park
Hornchurch Country Park is a park on the former site of Hornchurch Airfield, south of Hornchurch in the London Borough of Havering, east London.The River Ingrebourne passes through the park and if forms part of Thames Chase Community Forest...
taking up the area until reaching Rainham
Rainham, London
Rainham is a suburban town in northeast London, England, and part of the London Borough of Havering. Located east of Charing Cross, it is one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan and is surrounded by a residential area, which has grown from the historic village,...
. Here the river divides, the main channel becoming Rainham Creek, where it flows into the Thames between Hornchurch Marshes
Hornchurch Marshes
Hornchurch Marshes is an area of the London Borough of Havering, adjacent to the River Thames, in London, England. It forms the eastern part of the Ford Dagenham estate and is the location of turbine 2 of the Dagenham wind turbines and the Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence...
(to the west) and Rainham Marshes (to the east) at Old Man's Head. The second channel becomes the Wennington Sewers complex.
Significance
The Ingrebourne Marshes are defined as a site of metropolitan importance because of the diversity of its wildlife and extensive areas of wetland reeds. The river forms one of the strategic waterways identified in the Blue Ribbon NetworkBlue Ribbon Network
The Blue Ribbon Network is a policy element of the London Plan relating to the naviagable waterways of London, England.Aside from the River Thames, the major components of the network are:#Grand Union Canal#Regent's Canal#River Lee Navigation#River Brent...
policy in the London Plan
London Plan
The London Plan is a planning document written by the Mayor of London, England in the United Kingdom and published by the Greater London Authority. The plan was first published in final form on 10 February 2004 and has since been amended. The current version was published in February 2008...
.