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General description of the Central River Valleys

Summary:

This area was created and defined by the former route of the Thames (the proto Thames) and now contains the major rivers of Hertfordshire, the major communication corridors and the centre of many of the major settlements.


Landform:

As the name implies, this is a region defined by its valley form, being made up of the lower valleys of the Ver, Colne, Beane and Lea.

The main part of this region was formed by the Proto Thames, which was diverted by the glaciers of the Ice Age to its present course. Most of the valleys are broad, shallow, land forms of open character.


Soils:

The soils of this region are mainly well drained and fertile, being made up of friable brown earths. They are moisture retentive and relatively easy to work and allow some of the most productive arable farming in Hertfordshire.

In recent times they formed the basis of the market garden industry of the Lea Valley.

Underneath the soils are layers of gravel which have been exploited for some considerable time as a major source of building materials. This has given rise to what could be considered a feature of the region, gravel pits and their aftermath.


Vegetation:

The river valleys contain some of the largest blocks of woodland in the County. The names of some of these woods can give in indication of their species although many have been periodically felled and replanted with exotic alien species (e.g. Prae Wood to the west of St Albans). Prae is the old common name for Small Leafed Lime (Tilia cordata), but this wood is now mainly coniferous plantation. Other descriptive names include Birch Wood (Betula pendula) and Oaklands (Quercus robur & petrea).

In the more attractive areas, these woods follow and accentuate the valley form, often following the valley-side contours, leaving the flat valley floors predominantly open.

This region also formerly contained large expanses of heathland, now only found as isolated remnants in the form of commons e.g. Chorleywood Common, Bricketwood Common, Colney Heath Common etc.


Field Pattern:

In many places the fields are large and open with hedges remaining as neglected remnants. Fences are fairly common, most of the land being given over to arable production.


Settlement Pattern:

This region contains most of the largest settlements in the County, including Watford, Bushey, Rickmansworth, St Albans, Stevenage, Cheshunt, Waltham Cross, Welwyn Garden City, Hoddesdon, Hatfield, Hertford and Ware. This is probably due to a number of factors:

• Historically, the river valleys provided the means of access into the heart of the County and allowed good access for the clearance of the forest during a major second phase of development.

• After clearance, the valleys developed as the main routes through the County and provided the materials to sustain larger populations.

• These premium sites for settlement provided access to water yet were dry and sheltered, with good soils for agriculture.


Significant Features:

• A great deal of the County's development has taken place within this region. This development has created features of great heritage value, such as Verulamium, as well as eyesores and clutter, such as electricity pylons and industrial sites, detrimental to the overall visual amenity of the region.

• The ease of transport between major towns (as centres for commerce, work and entertainment) along the natural "weaknesses" in the landscape make this region a sensible area for routing main communication lines.

• River Valley Wetlands, Heathland, Ancient Woodland