Work at National Trust site to prevent flooding
Flood prevention work is taking place, in a bid to use land as a sponge for the River Severn and River Tern.
A National Trust site in Shropshire is taking measures to slow down water and prevent flooding in the catchment area. Attingham Park in Atcham is leading the project, with rangers and volunteers constructing dams, restoring ponds, and planting trees to utilize the land as a natural sponge for the River Severn and River Tern. This initiative is part of the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme and Shropshire Council's efforts to understand the potential of nature-based solutions in improving water management and enhancing the Severn catchment's resilience to future climate change.
Dams have been constructed using willow wood from pond restoration projects on the Attingham estate, as deemed the most effective material for restoring wetland habitats. Park ranger Emilia Fahlstromova explained that the aim is to wet the area up and prevent it from drying out, which would otherwise cause a loss of wetland species. The area has experienced significant drying over the years, and the project hopes to encourage the growth of wetland flora.
Project manager Jane Birch is also exploring other solutions to restore habitats, such as planting hedgerows and creating barriers made of wood to trap debris. Birch emphasized the importance of landowners adapting to the changing needs of the land, particularly in light of post-World War Two focus on maximizing food production through drainage. She argued that now, it is crucial to focus on holding more water on the land to reduce the risk of downstream flooding.
Climate change has led to more frequent flooding across the United Kingdom, with environmental correspondent David Gregory Kumar of BBC Midlands Today highlighting the potential of natural methods to address the issue. Kumar noted that even simple actions like placing logs in a stream can make a significant difference. Although natural solutions are being implemented in rivers and tributaries across the West Midlands, the scale of the project at Attingham Park is notable, as it is not yet being applied to massive rivers like the Severn.
Kumar concluded that allowing water to slow down and saturate the land might not be entirely undesirable, as it could help mitigate the impact of flooding.
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