WOOLSTON NEW CUT CANAL THE CREATION OF THE ECOLOGY PARK. Phil Putwain Ecological Restoration Solutions

Transcription

1 WOOLSTON NEW CUT CANAL THE CREATION OF THE ECOLOGY PARK Phil Putwain Ecological Restoration Solutions

2 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND The New Cut Canal was originally constructed in 1821 to bypass large bends in the River Mersey and to improve the navigation of the tidal river section for vessels travelling from the Port of Liverpool to Manchester. Industrial development along the canal consisted of a chemical works, a gun powder factory, a tannery and an abattoir. The sediments in the canal were undoubtedly influenced by the numerous industries and by spillages from ships/barges travelling along it.

3 MORE RECENT HISTORY August 2008 colonising vegetation In 1978 the canal fell into disrepair and flows of water ceased. Water levels dropped and standing water and wet sediments were colonized by dense vegetation.

4 Drying of sediments release of toxic metals Average depth metres

5 Toxic metals in sediments METAL mg/kg AMOUNT IN SILT AMOUNT IN SOIL Zinc Copper Lead Arsenic Between 2002 and 2006, landowners Warrington BC and Peel Land Holdings together with English Partnerships supported two PhD students from Liverpool University and Liverpool John Moores Uni to carry out research trials to investigate metal uptake in plants and release. The research recommended stabilising the contaminated silt and rewetting the canal.

6 THE GRAND SCHEME 9 hectares + REVIVE 1.18mil funding for site investigation, consultation, design and implementation works plus maintenance

7 July 2009 Preparation: existing trees and shrubs cut

8 Excavating vegetation and silt

9 Extracting and treating contaminated silt Silt treatment vat blends cement, fly ash and secret ingredient to make safe

10 Design of restored canal and contained sediment

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12 Placing cover materials Blends of green compost (15% v/v) with recycled materials Crushed brick Sandy subsoil Demolition fines Crushed limestone 300mm depth

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14 CAPPING SOIL BLENDS PLACED JULY 2010 crushed limestone/ compost crushed brick/compost demolition fines/compost coir rolls

15 CAPPING SOIL BLENDS PLACED JULY 2010 Filtrexx soxx (compost socks mixed with Techni Clay

16 Filling the canal Water from the River Mersey pumped in

17 Creating reed beds

18 Reed beds July 2013

19 Schedule of planting 2010 Activity Calendar date schedule Wildflower grassland Aquatic plug plants Planting aquatic plugs Phase 1 Planting aquatic plugs Phase II Remaining coir rolls 9 th -20 th August th September 7 th October 2010 Sowing wildflower meadow seed mixes on capping substrates 5 th -7 th October 2010

20 Planting

21 WOOLSTON NEW CUT CANAL Blends of green compost with recycled materials October 2010 Wildflowers and grasses sown British native September 2011 Demolition fines Total species per sample DF 19 CL 21 September 2011 Crushed limestone CB 18 SS 17

22 CANALSIDE MEADOW VEGETATION View of meadow vegetation established on crushed limestone (foreground) and crushed brick soil blends August 2012

23 MEADOW VEGETATION Crushed brick/compost blend Demolition fines/ compost blend

24 SELECTED COMPOST BLEND SOIL PROPERTIES September 2011 Soil property Crushed Brick mix Crushed limestone Sandy subsoil mix Demolition fines ph (alkaline) Available P Available K Available Mg Nitrate-Nitrogen

25 Inserting emergent aquatic species as plug plants in coir rolls and compost socks 10 th August 2010

26 ESTABLISHMENT AND GROWTH OF EMERGENT AQUATICS Contrast compost socks with coir rolls September 2011 Impact of low water level

27 LOW WATER LEVEL OCTOBER 2011

28 ESTABLISHMENT AND GROWTH OF EMERGENT AQUATICS August 2012 Purple loosestrife Coir rolls gappy

29 ESTABLISHMENT AND GROWTH OF EMERGENT AND FLOATING AQUATICS Dense waterside vegetation growing from compost socks Pendulous sedge Cyperus sedge Amphibious bistort (Polygonum) Coir roll

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31 THANK YOU FOR LISTENING Further information from Thanks to our many workers who contributed including Frances Lee, Gill Haynes, Helen Rawlinson, Lindsey Roberts and Keith Hatton