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.

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