A river in Suffolk is now flowing more naturally than it has in 25 years, thanks to a major restoration effort, according to a local parish councillor. The River Deben saw significant changes after a weir—a structure used to control water flow—at Ufford, near Woodbridge, collapsed due to heavy rain. The collapse led to a bridge partially falling apart and water levels dropping by more than a meter. This created a large water-filled crater known as Ufford Hole, which drained onto nearby land, including a side channel near the East Suffolk railway line. The incident was caused by tree roots growing into the weir, which eventually "fell to pieces," according to Councillor David Finley, who serves as the river warden for Ufford Parish Council. The sudden release of water caused a surge that damaged the Hawkeswade/Lower Ufford Bridge, cracking it, and forced the closure of a nearby wooden walkway, which is still awaiting repair. The Essex & Suffolk Rivers Trust reported that the collapse caused "significant damage to habitats along a large stretch of the river." Trevor Gill, a member of the Lower Deben Riparian Owners Group, expressed concerns about the impact on biodiversity and the long-term effects on people who have fished and swum in the river for decades. He noted that some fish died as a result of the incident and described the area as "pretty barren" at the time. In the aftermath, local councils and a group of landowners and farmers collaborated with the Environment Agency and other organizations to develop an action plan. The first phase of the restoration focused on clearing the dried-out channel from Old Melton Mill to Ufford Hole, allowing water to flow back to the mill. Now that this has been completed, efforts are turning toward repairing the weir before the upcoming "winter flood" season and restoring the footpath for public access. Councillor Finley emphasized that the next stage of the project will be "really critical" to prevent water from accelerating through the channel and causing further issues downstream. The restoration efforts aim not only to restore the river’s natural flow but also to protect the surrounding environment and ensure the area remains accessible and safe for future use.