East Mercia Rivers Trust, working in partnership with City of Lincoln Council and the Environment Agency, is seeking public input as they look to begin the fourth phase of Greening the Brayford Pool.
The historic pool holds the title of being England’s oldest inland port and over the last few years has undergone an initial three stages of the habitat improvement programme. This aims to provide much needed food and shelter for wildlife whilst enhancing water quality. The scheme has also brought a new and improved natural, green look to the waterfront.
Starting this month, East Mercia Rivers Trust is looking for resident and user feedback around the plans for the fourth phase. With permission already granted from the Environment Agency and City of Lincoln Council, East Mercia Rivers trust have ambitions to extend the floating ecosystems along the entire northern bank from Wagamama to the Student Union Barge.
Since the 1990s, the Brayford waterfront has been transformed. But with the hard concrete banks, deep water, boating and flood risk considerations there are limitations to what can be done to improve the aquatic environment. In addition, the failing water quality, lack of wildlife habitat and unappealing amenity value have become a priority for the Council’s ‘Greening Lincoln’ initiative.
The first three phases of the Greening Brayford Pool scheme are already beginning to have a positive impact on the ecology of the waterfront, changing the hard-edged banks into vibrant floating ecosystems.
Gail Talton, East Mercia Rivers Trust, Witham Project Manager commented,
‘The feedback we have received about the first phases has been overwhelmingly positive. By completing the online survey, you too can record your support. We want the community to have a stake in the next stage and all donations received through our Crowdfunder will help us complete the Greening of Brayford Pool with floating ecosystems.’
Cllr Bob Bushell, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place and Addressing the Challenge of Climate Change said,
“The greening of Brayford Pool has been a great success so far. During the summer when the green ecosystems have bloomed, they have added vibrant colour to the hard concrete banks of the Brayford. The quality of the environment is fundamental to the lives of residents and visitors alike, whether that’d be tourists, or visitors from the animal kingdom. Therefore, it is really important that it provides much needed shelter and nesting sites for animals, helping our wildlife thrive and flourish in the Brayford.
For further information contact: gail@eastmercia.org