Work is underway to restore peatlands to their natural state across Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire after £160,000 of funding was secured through the Department Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The Environment Agency will be working with a number of partners including Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Warrington Borough Council and United Utilities at six sites.
The funding will be used to restore upland and lowland peatlands to their natural state by increasing their capacity to prevent carbon entering the atmosphere, reduce flood risk by slowing the flow of rain water and creating habitats for vulnerable wildlife.
Natural England has been advising the partners about the best design for the schemes, and approving methods used on the Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
By blocking drainage ditches, building peat bunds and working with the local topography, the work will help keep water on the sites, encouraging the typical bog plant species and discouraging the dry-loving grasses and birch.
Peatlands cover 11% England’s landscape and provide 70% of drinking water
Photo:Peak Naze and Sykes Moor
Peatlands cover 11% of England’s landscape and provide 70% of our drinking water – they also reduce greenhouse gases by locking away at least 3.2 billion tonnes of CO².
There are six projects across the Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire that have secured the funding, part of a Defra peatlands restoration pot of £500,000, with further projects around the country.
Work is underway at six sites across Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire:
- Risley Moss, Cheshire - working with Warrington Borough Council (funding of £20,000)
- Danes Moss, Cheshire - working with Cheshire Wildlife Trust (funding of £15,000)
- Holcroft Moss, Cheshire - working with Cheshire Wildlife Trust (funding of £46,000)
- Goyt’s Moss Bridge, Peak District - working with United Utilities (funding of £16,000)
- Peak Naze and Sykes Moor, Peak District - working with United Utilities (funding of £36,300)
- Crompton Moor, Greater Manchester - working with City of Trees (funding of £30,000)
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