The Staffordshire Wildlife Trust will begin restoration work at Ford Green Brook on 24 August, aiming to create a greater variety of habitats for plants and animals while improving the brook's function within the local floodplain.
What the project will involve
Contractors appointed by the trust will first carry out preparatory tasks and final safety and ecological checks. That will include surveys of the site and the careful relocation of fish where necessary before physical works begin. The programme is scheduled to run for about five to six weeks, weather permitting.
- Creation of new ponds to provide standing-water habitat.
- Widening of sections of the brook and selective reshaping of channels to encourage a more natural flow.
- Removal of some trees to permit machinery access; felled timber will be re-used on site to form habitat features.
- Ecologists on site to check for protected species such as birds and bats before any tree works proceed.
Phasing and flood risk
Work will progress from the northern end of the brook southwards. According to the trust, staging the project in this way will help teams manage water movement through the site during construction and reduce disturbance to wildlife. The organisation also says flood modelling and planning have been undertaken to ensure the scheme will not raise flood risk for nearby homes.
“We are so pleased to be able to bring real benefits to the wildlife that calls Ford Green Brook home,”
The trust quoted Victoria Bunter as saying they hoped the changes would make the area more engaging for people as well as more supportive of local species. A trust spokesperson added that the alterations should help the brook operate in a more natural manner and support a healthier environment over time.
Local impact and practical considerations
Residents who use the brook and surrounding green spaces can expect a period of disturbance while machinery is on site. The trust has indicated it will try to retain as many trees as possible and to repurpose those that must be cut. Ecologists will be present throughout to check for protected species before any removal takes place.
The scheme is part of a wider push by conservation organisations to restore urban watercourses, both to bolster biodiversity and to enhance the resilience of river systems to changes in rainfall and land use. For visitors, the intention is that, once complete, the brook and floodplain will provide a more varied and interesting place to see wildlife.
| Project element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Start date | 24 August |
| Expected duration | 5–6 weeks (weather permitting) |
| Lead organisation | Staffordshire Wildlife Trust |
| Location | Ford Green Brook, Stoke-on-Trent |
Further updates are likely while the trust and contractors carry out the work. Local people with questions about access, timings or wildlife concerns should contact the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust for the latest information.
