SOLIHULL residents will soon benefit from some exciting environmental improvements taking place in Tudor Grange Park and Hillfield Park this autumn.
Solihull Council’s contractors, Ebsford Environmental, are carrying out extensive pond and brook restoration, bringing positive improvements to the parks’ nature and biodiversity.
The work involves coppicing trees, clearing excess vegetation, de-silting the pond and removing the concrete-lining of the current brook courses.
This will encourage natural river processes and enable more sunlight to reach the pond, helping to restore the habitats of local plant, fish, bird and invertebrate species.
Coun Ken Hawkins, cabinet member for environment said: “This is a massive project that will greatly benefit nature, wildlife and people in Solihull.
“As the concrete and sediment are removed, the banks of the brooks and pond edges may look a little untidy, but we ask that people please bear with us.
“When the work is completed, we will have created a better environment for locals and visitors to enjoy.”
Emily Farrell, project manager for Ebsford Environmental, said: “At Tudor Grange, one of the two sites for this project, the work involves the removal of concrete embankments that has historically straightened the channel and lessened the biodiversity value and opportunities that come with our hydrological systems.
“Alongside this, reprofiling works will take place to create a new channel and dredging of the lake will provide marginal wetland habitat while increasing water capacity.
“We are grateful to all the locals for making us feel a part of the Solihull community.”
Work at Tudor Grange Park is expected to finish by the end of October, while work at Hillfield Park will start later this month and continue into November.
The project is grant-funded by the Wildlife Ways Small Habitats Grants Programme, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
It is also part-funded by the Environment Agency who are providing technical support.
