Boost for West Yorkshire wildlife as £80,000 project wraps up
An £80,000 project to reduce flood risk and bring a boost to wildlife and habitat in Chellow Dene Wetlands, West Yorkshire is complete.
The project at took three months to complete and includes improvements to a wetland area to help slow the flow of water during heavy rain.
It’s been delivered by Aire Rivers Trust working together with the Environment Agency, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Britvic, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, the Rivers Trust, and Friends of Bradford’s Becks.
“Urban wetlands are vital spaces for nature in our cities. This project shows how they can bring multiple benefits to Bradford,” Simon Watts, operations manager at the Aire Rivers Trust.
“With the help of our funders, we’re contributing to reducing water pollution and flood risk and allowing nature to flourish on our doorsteps. It will be exciting to watch the site develop alongside our volunteers over the coming year.”
As part of the work, meanders have been created in Chellow Dene Beck to bypass a weir and create a more natural flow, allowing fish to move freely and creating better habitat for wildlife.
A leaky dam, made of natural materials, has been installed in the beck which will temporarily slow the flow during periods of heavy rain, allowing more flood water to enter the plain and reducing flows downstream. This water will then gradually make its way back into the beck.
It’s expected the wetlands will hold approximately an extra 180 cubic metres of water.
The project has been completed by the planting of wildflower seeds, which will produce a vibrant display of wetland wildflowers, attracting pollinators and other important wildlife.