Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is working with the Environment Agency on a pioneering project aimed at reducing flooding in Stone town centre, as well as improving wildlife habitats.
The town has flooded several times in recent years. causing major disruption for businesses, shoppers and residents alike. The worst event was in 1987 when a culvert collapsed and 80 properties were flooded.
Two culverts that carry water from the nearby Scotch Brook are thought to be the cause of the problem – they regularly fill up with silt and are prone to overflowing if there is a torrential downpour. It costs the Environment Agency in the region of £100,000 every 18 to 24 months to keep the culverts clear of silt and debris.
The Environment Agency will be looking at how the structures can be improved, while the Trust will be working with farmers in the Scotch Brook catchment to create floodwater storage and to try and reduce the amount of silt entering the brook. The Trust’s work will also help create new habitats for wetland wildlife.
Neil Lote, Environment Agency technical specialist, said: “We are investigating a number of options to reduce flood risk in Stone, which will be sustainable for future generations.”
The Trust’s wetlands officer, Matt Jones, added: “Many of the methods we’ll be using to stop the silt entering the brook will have benefits for wildlife. For example, we’ll be creating pools and restoring areas of fen and reedbed, all of which will trap silt, slow down flows and create new habitat for wildlife such as dragonflies and otters.”
The charity is keen for farmers within the Scotch Brook catchment – which includes Moddershall, Oulton, Hilderstone and Barlaston Common/Rough Close – to get in touch to see how they can get involved. Environmental grants are available for landowners to carry out works. For more information, call Matt Jones on 01889 880142 or email m.jones@staffs-wildlife.org.uk
