The Isle of Wight MP will learn how the Environment Agency has been working with developers to revitalise a Newport brook which has resulted in a haven for both wildlife and residents.
The Isle of Wight MP will learn how the Environment Agency has been working with developers to revitalise a Newport brook which has resulted in a haven for both wildlife and residents.
On Friday 3 July at 11am, Andrew Turner MP will be joined by Environment Agency Area Manager James Humphrys at the Lukely Brook to learn how the watercourse saw the light again after 50 years following efforts by the Environment Agency to bring the river out of a 100m culvert and restore it as nature intended.
On the day they will be accompanied by Councillor Edward Giles, New Cabinet Member for the Environment and Transport IOW Council, Director of Island 2000 Ian Boyd and Richard Grogan, Countryside Manager at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.
Hundreds of homes are being built as part of a redevelopment of the old Dairy Crest site. Following negotiations, these new homes will now be built further from Lukely Brook allowing new riverside walks and wildlife areas to be created as part of the development.
James Humphrys said: “We were delighted when the developers decided to build the homes further away from the river as it means we can now breathe new life into the Lukely Brook. Local communities will be able to enjoy the benefits of the new landscaping and see new wildlife species attracted to the area. It is great news that kingfishers and brown trout have been spotted there already.”
“Culverts of this length are known to be a barrier to the passage of fish and offer no habitat for other wildlife like watervoles or dragonflies. To address this problem the development has now been designed to include a wide river corridor, native planting and a riverside walk. It will also increase the capacity of the channel to allow water to pass through it more easily and therefore reduce the risk of flooding to the area.”
The Environment Agency teams are now working with the adjacent landowner to restore a further 50m stretch upstream which confines this chalk stream to a concrete-lined channel.
The photo opportunity will take place at 11am in Foxes Road, Newport at the back of the Sainsbury’s car park by the public footpath which leads down to the brook.
