Bucknall Park in Stoke-on-Trent to become a richer home for wildlife with new restoration work

Work to restore nature at Bucknall Park will begin on Monday 17 August, weather-dependent, with the project expected to take around three weeks.

The work is Funded by the Environment Agency. This will improve the river and surrounding floodplain to support more wildlife, while not increasing flood risk.

Specialist contractors will be on site to prepare the area before creating new habitats for plants and animals. This includes digging shallow ponds, widening parts of the river, and creating what’s known as a chute. A chute is where land is dug so water can reconnect to an area of floodplain.

New wetland habitats will be created closer to the river, providing valuable space for wildlife. To do this, a short section of footpath will be removed. A new path of the same length will be created nearby, ensuring people can continue to enjoy the park and experience its wildlife.

Every effort will be made to retain as many trees as possible. Any trees that are removed will be reused to create natural habitats, and new native trees will be planted in their place. Before work starts, ecologists will check for nesting birds and bats and ensure appropriate protections are in place. The tree work is planned for any time from the week commencing 27 July.

This project builds on earlier work with Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the Environment Agency, including the removal of a weir, which has already helped fish move more freely upstream.

A view of a shallow area of the River Trent surrounded by trees.

Tamsin Harrison

A view of a shallow part of the River Trent surrounded by trees

Tamsin Harrison

A view of a floodplain field and footpath at Bucknall Park. There are trees off in the distance.

Tamsin Harrison

Victoria Bunter, Living Flood Plains Manager from Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, says:

“This is an exciting project for Bucknall Park. It will help create better spaces for wildlife and make the park an even more interesting place for people to visit. By improving the river and floodplain, we are helping nature recover and thrive.”

A Stoke-on-Trent City Council spokesperson says,

"We're pleased to support this important project at Bucknall Park, which will bring lasting benefits for both wildlife and local people. By creating new wetland habitats and improving the natural river environment, we're helping to make the park a richer, more resilient place for nature to thrive. We know local people care deeply about their green spaces, and once established, these improvements will make Bucknall Park an even better place to enjoy and connect with nature."

Detailed checks and modelling were completed to make sure the work will not increase flood risk. The changes will help water flow into the park during high rainfall, which can help reduce pressure on nearby homes.

Once finished, the project will give Bucknall Park a healthier river, more wildlife and a stronger natural environment for the future.

For more information, visit: https://www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/trent-renew

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, and with Ebsford Environmental Ltd for practical delivery.

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 fresh water 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.