The Brief:
A new watercourse had been excavated through an existing public park to create a more natural river corridor and improve the surrounding environment. However, the connection between the existing brook and the newly created channel had been damaged by flooding, requiring a temporary dam to prevent further erosion and protect the parkland.
The project aimed to establish a permanent, sustainable connection between the brook and the new watercourse while improving bank stability, enhancing biodiversity, and creating a more attractive and accessible space for the local community.
The Solution:
JPR Environmental carried out a range of river restoration and habitat enhancement works to reconnect the brook and improve the resilience of the new watercourse. A new inlet channel was constructed to provide a sustainable connection, while sections of the riverbank were regraded to improve water flow and create a more natural appearance.
To protect the channel from future erosion, stone and coir erosion control measures were installed alongside live willow planting to strengthen the banks naturally over time. Marginal and aquatic planting was introduced throughout the channel to improve habitat diversity, while additional tree and shrub planting enhanced the surrounding parkland. A new accessible footpath was also constructed, providing improved access for both pedestrians and wheelchair users.
The Result:
The completed works successfully reconnected the brook to the new watercourse, creating a resilient and natural river system that will continue to develop over time. The combination of bank stabilisation, habitat creation and native planting has significantly increased the ecological value of the site while reducing the risk of future erosion.
The project has transformed the park into a more attractive and accessible space, providing improved walking routes, enhanced wildlife habitats and a restored watercourse that can be enjoyed by both the local community and visitors for years to come.
“JPR Environmental were a pleasure to work with on a recent landscaping and river rehabilitation project undertaken for a local authority. Their staff were professional at all times, offered useful insight during construction and I was impressed by the way they accommodated programme changes that were outside of their control. I would be pleased to work with JPR on future projects.”
