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Wetlands work to help combat flooding

Trystan Jones
BBC News, West Midlands
FDA Design CGI impression of how the area will look. Aerial view of fields and a wetland near Atcham, with the Wrekin hill in the distanceFDA Design
A computer visualisation revealed how the area could look with the creation of the wetland

Work has started on a nature restoration project outside Shrewsbury that is hoped will reduce the effects of flooding.

The scheme at the National Trust's Attingham Park estate is being supported by the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme (SVWMS).

The work will see wetlands created, lost ponds restored, and new trees planted.

It is hoped it will allow an extra 22,000 cubic metres of water to be stored at the estate, slowing the flow of water during floods.

Jane Birch Head and shoulders selfie of Jane Birch in a pink scarf sitting in a carJane Birch
Jane Birch said the team hoped to inspire others to find nature-led solutions to flooding

It is one of eight demonstrator projects by SVWMS, funded by the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs, testing whether nature-based approaches can reduce the effects of flooding in the upper Severn catchment.

Pete Lambert, the demonstrator project manager for the organisation, said the work would drive research and establish how land and water management might be shaped.

National Trust project manager Jane Birch said: "We're delighted to be receiving funding through the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme to help us to ramp up our ambitions for nature recovery at Attingham Estate.

"By demonstrating how to harness the power of nature to improve water management across a complex landscape we hope to inspire wider adoption of similar approaches."

Shropshire Council Four people stood next to each other in front of a row of juvenile trees and a green field - they are dressed in a variety of wet weather gear, including hats and gloves.Shropshire Council
Volunteers planted more than 1,100 trees near Rea Brook as part of another SVWMS scheme

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