Lake View Park Restoration

Overview:

In November 2024, we will be carrying out restoration works in Lake View Park with approved contractors Ecolibrium Environmental Contracting Ltd. This will be the second set of contractor carried out restoration work that is actioned by The Sherbourne Valley Project in the area, with work done previously to mitigate a weir at the north-west end of the park in 2023. The project aims to re-naturalise the River Sherbourne which flows through Coventry, improving it for nature and for local communities. There will be several elements to this particular restoration project, all of which will have a positive effect on the river and surrounding area in both short-term and long-term scenarios.

The restoration work is estimated to take 5-6 weeks to complete, depending upon the weather. Works will take place out of bird nesting and fish breeding season, and habitats will be improved and made into more permanent features. The restoration will improve the water storage capacity of the park, helping to reduce flooding both in the park and surrounding areas. Access will be considered in plans and delivery, although access to the park will be restricted for a few weeks whilst work is taking place. Dog walking will still be possible along advised alternate routes, and general access in the park will be improved in a separate project shortly after the restoration works is completed.

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Community consultation:

It is important to note, that action around renaturalising the river, including weir mitigation, was approved by community consultation surveys carried out by the project in April 2022. There was also a community consultation day in the park on Saturday 27^th April 2024.

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Why does the park need restoration?:

As it flows through Lake View Park, the River Sherbourne has been changed heavily over the years, making it too straight, and deep. The lack of varying flow speeds in the channel means that the silt (tiny particles) is over deposited in the channel. This impacts on the ability of fish to breed, and makes it harder for plants in the water to get oxygen. By widening the river in an alternating pattern, we are encouraging the river to meander (follow a winding course), which will create a variety of flow speeds in the river. We are also introducing riffles(shallower, faster moving sections of a stream) using various pebbles which will also add to the variety of flow speeds, and provide a great habitat for fish breeding.

Through the restoration works, we will allow the wetland features near to the river to become more permanent features. We will do this by digging ponds, scrapes and wetlands in the areas where the river floods. This will build upon existing features that can already be seen seasonally. This improves those habitats for wildlife, and gives more space for plants and animals to thrive. By making these features more permanent, we will also increase the water storage of the area, helping to reduce the impact of flooding downstream.

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What will we be doing?:

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In river restoration:

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Channel Widening:

In Lake View Park, we will be widening the channel of the River Sherbourne in 4 sections. These will be positioned at alternate strategic points to encourage a more natural flow pattern.

Positives:

• Improved Flow Dynamics: An alternating wider channel allows the river to meander, creating slower and faster sections that promote diverse habitats.
• Silt Deposition: Slower flow areas will help silt settle in designated areas.

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Riffle Structures:

We will introduce 2 riffles in the second channel, which is near to wetlands 1 and 2, by placing various pebbles and stones in these specific locations. A riffle is a rocky area of the river characterized by shallow depths with fast, turbulent water.

Positives:

• Habitat Creation: Riffles create shallow, fast-moving sections of the river, ideal for fish breeding and providing oxygen-rich habitats for aquatic plants.
• Enhanced Biodiversity: The variation in flow speeds and depths supports a wider range of species, from insects to larger fish.
• Natural Filtration: The turbulent water in riffles helps to aerate the river, improving water quality.

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Inset Floodplain:

The banks of the river will be lowered to create an inset floodplain, just before the Guphill Brook meets the River Sherbourne. There will be minimal change in the overall height of the bank, but will instead set the bank back further from the channel to recreate a natural slope in which silt can be deposited and wildlife can access the river.

Positives:

• Habitat Restoration: The floodplain will become a wet, fertile area, supporting diverse plant and animal life.
• Nutrient Distribution: Floodplains help distribute nutrients, enriching the soil and promoting healthy vegetation.

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Off river restoration:

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Ponds:

We will dig ponds throughout the park where it naturally floods. There will be 4 ponds all of different sizes and shape. They will all be wildlife ponds with wetland features and shallow and graded edges. At their deepest the ponds will be 1.1m, and there will be a large area of shelf which is just 0.5m deep. This allows for safe entry and exit of the pond for all wildlife. Also, most wildlife species found in ponds live around edge, which we are trying to maximise.

Positives:

• Permanent Water Source: Ponds provide a consistent water source for wildlife, even during dry periods.
• Biodiversity Hotspots: These ponds will attract a variety of species, from amphibians to birds, enhancing local biodiversity.
• Educational Opportunities: Ponds can be used for educational activities, teaching the community about aquatic ecosystems.

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Scrapes:

We will be creating 3 scrapes throughout Lake View Park. Scrapes are shallow ponds, less than 1m in depth, which hold rain or flood water seasonally but stay damp for most of the year. These scrapes will be created by shallowly excavating areas near the river, forming seasonal or semi-permanent wetland features. All of the scrapes we will be creating will be between 0.3-0.5m depth.

Positives:

• Diverse Habitats: Scrapes provide breeding and feeding grounds for wading birds and other wildlife.
• Flood Alleviation: They act as temporary water storage areas during high rainfall, helping to manage floodwaters.
• Wildlife Attraction: These features are particularly beneficial for species that rely on shallow water environments.

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Wetlands:

We will be creating 2 wetlands in the North-East of the park. These will be developed by enhancing existing low-lying areas to retain water more effectively. Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil throughout the year, they are shallower than ponds. They will function as a species rich, shallower habitat, close to the river. The two wetlands being created will vary in depth between 0.5-0.7m

Positives:

• Water Filtration: Wetlands naturally filter pollutants from the water, improving overall river health.
• Carbon Sequestration: Wetlands absorb carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate climate change.
• Rich Ecosystems: They support a wide range of plant and animal species, creating a vibrant and dynamic ecosystem.

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Removal of sediment from blocked bridge culvert:

As part of the project, we will be removing the buildup of sediment that has accumulated in the culvert underneath the bridge. This will allow the river to reconnect to the existing channel through the wetland area of the park. In addition to this, we will be improving the existing wetland area through several features. Firstly, the removal of an embankment within this wetland area will help to retain water after flooding. Secondly, the introduction of two riffle areas within the wetland will help to provide suitable habitat for fish and other invertebrates.

We will also be digging 3 new additional features, a pond, scrape and wetland. These will help to increase the water storage and provide more permanent habitat for wildlife. The improvement of this wetland area, and the reconnection to the main channel through the silt removal, will ensure that fish can use this channel to migrate upstream and downstream. This bypasses the two large weirs in the other channel which goes under Four Pounds Avenue and into the Sherbourne Valley Allotments.

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What are we doing with the soil?:

The soil (sometimes referred to as spoil) will be kept on-site, and will be profiled into existing mounds and reseeded. These soil locations have been identified in consultation with the community and Coventry City Council to identify areas of the park where they won't impact on the visual aspect of the site. The reseeding will make sure that the soil heaps are vegetated by healthy and diverse plants, as well as ensuring ground stability and visual appeal. The 3 sites chosen for soil locations are visible on the map above.

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Our methods and working avenues:

We have gone through all the correct avenues to secure permission from the council (who are an active partner in the project) and get a bespoke flood risk permit from the Environment Agency (who review it from a flood risk, biodiversity and fisheries perspective). We will have agreed Environmental Mitigation Measures with the council ecology team, covering protection for various wildlife, considering disturbance and biosecurity controls. They are happy that we are carrying out adequate environmental protection measures for the works which include:

• Silt control- silt mat and curtain downstream of works to capture any silt disturbed during the works and appropriate removal off site once finished.
• Only taking out the necessary trees/tree limbs to allow access for plant machinery if required, after doing the necessary checks for bird nests and any bat roosting potential.
• Carrying out works outside of the coarse fish breeding season and bird nesting season.
• We will have ecological appraisal from a properly qualified ecologist prior to works taking place.
• Removing Himalayan balsam from the site before works take place to ensure we don’t spread INNS and ensuring all correct biosecurity measures are in place with the contractor during the movement of machinery and works.

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