Funding was awarded in 2010 to Leicester City Council from the
6Cs Green Infrastructure Scheme to
enhance open spaces for access, biodiversity and community benefits. The money has been used to improve the Abbey Meadows area
for wildlife and to make it a better and more accessible place for people
to visit whilst encouraging continued management and regeneration.
A number of small projects have been completed along the
river bank including:
- Works to trees to
increase light, open up views of the river and encourage a more diverse range
of ground flora;
- Construction of a
kingfisher hide to encourage kingfishers to nest and breed in the area.
Abbey Meadows Wetland
During
the autumn of 2011, a wetland area was created by extending and widening the
existing ditch which flows into the River Soar at the end of Corporation Road. The
project had several aims, the initial one being to provide a greater range of
habitats along the River Soar corridor. However the wetland also provides
additional flood storage capacity and will help improve the quality of water
entering the River Soar, particularly as vegetation establishes in the new
areas.
This
is one of a series of projects that have been carried out by the city funded
through the Strategic Green Infrastructure Initiative. This fund aims to
improve existing green spaces within a wider connected network of open areas. The
works were conceived of and designed by members of the Conservation Team within
the Planning service. Works were overseen by City Highways. Information about
the project was on display at the pumping station and on site. The Environment
Agency has also supported Leicester City Council in this exciting project.
The wetland has been designed to ensure the area will be
safe, attractive and provide a haven for wildlife. The wetland banks have been re-profiled
to reduce the gradient and increase the area where water can flow and be stored
temporarily. This will improve the water quality before it flows into the Soar.
The wetland has also been planted with non-invasive aquatic plants allowing
other flora to come in and colonise naturally. An area of meadow with wild
flowers has been created next to the wetland to encourage the many bees, birds,
butterflies and other wildlife that are attracted to this peaceful area of the
City.
For a summary of the proposals, please open the attachment at the bottom of this page. For further information, please telephone (0116) 252 7222 or email
conservation@leicester.gov.uk.
Here are images showing the area before the works: the open grassland with the ditch running
across the area ...
... and after; just
as the wetland was completed. It still looks "new" but grass is already
germinating on the slopes to the wetland and it is hoped that within 18 months
the vegetation will be re-establishing well. Works were carried out in the
early Autumn to avoid causing distress to local wildlife
:
