Plans for wetland near River Don to go on show
THE LATEST plans for a freshwater wetland area next to the River Don at Fishlake are to go on display to residents later this month.
The aim of the project is to restore a 60-hectare area of valuable wetland that will benefit both residents and wildlife and prevent flooding.
Work on the scheme began in May and now Environment Agency staff want to give locals more information about the next stages.
Anthony Myatt, project manager said: "When we held an event earlier this year we got some good feedback on people's views and ideas about what they'd like to see included such as better footpaths, information boards and fishing areas.
"This has all been considered carefully in our detailed designs, which are now ready for everyone to see."
Residents raised concerns over site access so agency staff have looked at how they can incorporate new rights of way into the design. They are also looking at improving access over stiles.
Access routes lie between Jubilee Bridge in the west and Stainforth Bridge in the east.
Work will include creating new drainage ditches, ponds and channels on the land between the flood banks and the Don.
And the river will be widened to create a reed-edge where fish and birds can breed.
The project is expected to encourage wildlife including otters, water voles, lapwing, snipe and other wetland birds.
It is also expected to boost numbers of eels, silver bream and dace which are currently in decline.
Once the ditches, ponds and channels have been constructed the Environment Agency's team will remove sections of the small banks at the edge of the river, historically used to keep the area dry for agricultural use.
This will allow the tidal water of the Don to flow onto the site around three times a month, without affecting the existing flood bank which is set back from the edge of the river.
Environment Agency staff will be at Fishlake Village Hall on Tuesday, 14 July from 2pm until 7pm to discuss the project.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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