Restored rivers bring new opportunities for wildlife and people in Stoke-on-Trent

Wildlife and local communities are already benefiting from two major river restoration projects in Stoke-on-Trent, with work now complete at both Bucknall Park and Ford Green Brook.

The projects were delivered through the Trent ReNEW partnership by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, the Environment Agency and Stoke-on-Trent City Council. Together, they have created healthier rivers, better wetland habitats, and more opportunities for people to enjoy nature close to home.

At Bucknall Park, the River Trent and its floodplain have been improved with new ponds, a wider river channel and habitat features for wildlife. A new stretch of path has also been created, leading visitors to a sculptural bench, creating a loop in the path network.

The changes have created more places for fish, birds, amphibians and insects to live, feed and breed, while making the park an even better place for people to spend time outdoors.

At Ford Green Brook, the project took a different approach. Parts of the brook were temporarily stopped and reshaped, giving the water space to find its own route through the valley (a process called infilling). This helps reconnect the brook with its floodplain and creates a more natural mix of pools, shallows and wetter habitats for wildlife.

Before any work took place, detailed flood modelling was carried out to make sure nearby homes and businesses would not be put at risk. The shape of the valley also helps hold water safely within the landscape.

The finished site now includes new ponds, riffles and wetland habitats that will benefit wildlife for years to come.

Victoria Bunter, Living Floodplains Manager at Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, said:

"These projects show how much can be achieved when we give rivers more space to work naturally. The changes have created better homes for wildlife, but they will also make these parks even more enjoyable for local people, and more resilient in a changing climate.

"It's exciting to think about how these places will develop over the coming years. As plants grow and more wildlife moves in, visitors will be able to see the benefits of the work for themselves."

Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, Cabinet Member for Growth, Regeneration and Transport at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said:

"We are delighted to have supported these projects and to see work completed at both sites. Bucknall Park and Ford Green Brook are important green spaces for local communities, and these improvements will help them thrive for many years to come.

"The projects show how we can work with nature to improve the environment, support wildlife and create great places for people to visit."

Vicki Liu, Catchment Co-ordinator for Staffordshire Trent Valley at the Environment Agency said:

"Healthy rivers are vital for both wildlife and local communities, which is why we're proud to fund projects like Trent ReNEW.

"The work at Bucknall Park and Ford Green Brook has helped create more natural river habitats, improve conditions for wildlife and strengthen the connection between rivers and their floodplains. Importantly, all of these improvements have been carefully designed and assessed to ensure they do not increase flood risk to nearby homes and businesses."

Editor's notes

This work is carried out by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust on behalf of the Environment Agency. The trust is working with Dynamic Rivers on the restoration work designs, with Ebsford Environmental for practical delivery. Stoke-on-Trent City Council are the landowners.

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, a registered charity, is the leading nature conservation body in Staffordshire. We have protected the wildlife and wild places of Staffordshire since 1969. We carry out conservation projects all over the county to protect and restore our special landscapes and wildlife. Our vision is to create a Staffordshire where nature thrives and inspires.

Working with partners and communities is a key part of our work to improve the wider landscape to make it a better place for wildlife. Bringing people and wildlife together in harmony is critical. We educate people on wildlife and create opportunities for people to get close to nature and feel inspired by their local wild places. Offering volunteering, educational and activities is a big part of our work.

Ebsford Environmental Ltd are specialist environmental contractors undertaking the river and floodplain restoration works on behalf of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. Established in 2011, Ebsford has grown into a trusted UK contractor with extensive experience in watercourse restoration, habitat creation, invasive species management and blue-green infrastructure projects.

The company works across the UK with wildlife trusts, local authorities, water companies, landowners, civil engineering contractors and environmental consultants to provide practical, nature-based solutions in sensitive river and wetland environments.

For these schemes, Ebsford will bring its in-house experience of working in and around rivers, using low impact machinery, to carry out the works safely and sensitively, with a focus on improving habitat and restoring natural processes.

Dynamic Rivers is a specialist fluvial consultancy driven by a passion for restoring and naturalising the freshwater environment. Drawing on decades of combined experience in geomorphology, hydrology, hydraulics and ecology, the team operates an ethos of research-driven, applied science to deliver sustainable, environmentally sensitive solutions to river and floodplain issues. From high-resolution 2D survey and flow and rainfall modelling through to naturalisation design and on-the-ground delivery, Dynamic Rivers works with natural processes rather than against them, reconnecting rivers with their floodplains, restoring ecological function and building more resilient, self-sustaining systems. The company's work has earned some of the sector's highest honours, including UK and European River Prizes. With an excellent reputation for delivery, Dynamic Rivers has transformed rivers and floodplains across the UK, working alongside a trusted network of partners and contractors to bring nature recovery to life.

Environment Agency
We work to create better places for people and wildlife, and supports sustainable development. Established in 1996, we have over 13,000 employees. Our head office is in Bristol with bases across England. Our expert staff are regulators, reformers, engineers, ecologists, inspectors and incident responders. We play a vital role in supporting the government’s growth mission while protecting the environment we all depend on. We are modernising and embracing new tools and technology to improve our environment and tackle pollution head on.