Environment Agency completes Nuttall Park river bank repair project

The Environment Agency has been putting the finishing touches to a £135,000 project that has restored and enhanced the River Irwell in Nuttall Park, Ramsbottom.

Yesterday (Monday 20 March) its operations team was helping the Friends of Nuttall Park community group plant trees, paid for by Bury Council, along the bank of the Irwell.

During the Boxing Day 2015 floods, a large section of concrete revetment collapsed on the bank of the River Irwell, which interrupted the natural flow of the river.

The aim of this project was to repair the damaged bank and provide a greener solution, working to the Water Framework Directive. In order to complete this, a number of trees had to be removed, but the new trees are being replanted in a more secure position.
 
The main part of the project to repair the bank was completed between June and August 2016.

Gwen Scott, area operations manager at the Environment Agency, said: “We all know the devastating impact Storm Eva had on communities across Greater Manchester on Boxing Day 2015. Since that time we’ve worked to repair assets, improve water flow and prevent blockages across the area. We also carry out regular inspections to identify where maintenance work is required.

“We’re really happy to have completed this river bank repair project on the Irwell, which is now more secure, environmentally friendly and more accessible. This project, which has involved teams from across the agency, is part of our ongoing commitment to improving the environment and we’ve worked with partners and the local community to complete it.”

Councillor Alan Quinn, Bury Council’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “Storm Eva caused unprecedented damage in Bury; however, the community’s reaction to the Boxing Day floods was fantastic, with everyone working together to bring our borough back to normal. We’re playing our part by funding the new trees and I look forward to seeing them in place at Nuttall Park.”

Kate Bell, of the Friends of Nuttall Park, said: “The Friends of Nuttall Park appreciated being informed from the start of how this project would develop. We have watched the Environment Agency’s progress throughout 2016. Like many visitors to the park we are delighted with the result. The sweep of the river bank looks stunning. We are happy to have been consulted on the choice of trees and hope that the four bird cherries, hornbeam and weeping beech will add to the overall beauty. It was lovely to be a part of this exciting revamp of Nuttall Park.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 21 March 2017.

Picture: Pete Hewitt from the Environment Agency with members of the Friends of Nuttall Park.