Bristol Living Rivers Project - Waterways Monitoring

Malago and Pigeonhouse Stream

The Malago stream and its tributary, the Pigeonhouse Stream, in south Bristol drain the northern slopes of the Dundry Hills, Highridge, Withywood, Hartcliffe and most of Bedminster. It forms the route of the “Malago Greenway” from Manor Woods to Bedminster. The Pigeonhouse stream passes through the former Wills tobacco site at Hartcliffe to join the Malago near Vale Lane. This area was the site of the Brickworks and took the spoil from the excavation of the Malago Storm water Interceptor.

Following the extensive development of the Malago catchment, a major Flood Alleviation Scheme of the early 1970’s was required to prevent flooding in Bedminster by diverting flows directly into the River Avon. The two nearby lakes were formed as siltation traps to prevent blockage of the interceptor tunnels but are now a valued asset to the open space.

Historically there were a number of industries on the Malago such as the Lumber works, brick and tile works and a glue mill at Locks Mill, all of which have now gone. Instead the Malago and Pigeonhouse Streams have become a haven for wildlife. The rich variety of habitats in Manor Woods Valley has recently been designated as a Local Nature Reserve.

There are several community groups based along the Malago and Pigeonhouse Stream, some of which include the long established Malago Valley Conservation Group (MVCG), and the newly formed Kingfisher Group at the back of Cotswold Road.

The annual Malago Trek is also a regular event that follows the Malago and Pigeonhouse Streams from where the Malago flows into the River Avon to its source on the slopes of Dundry.

Bristol City Council has been sampling the water quality in the Malago and Pigeonhouse streams since 1995. Sample sites include the Pigeonhouse Stream at Briscoes Avenue, Crox Bottom and the Malago at Manor Woods Valley Local Nature Reserve and Marksbury Road open space. A new sampling regime at Cotswold Road & Brixham Road open space began in 2008.


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