‘Mucky Beck’: Restoration and replanning of the Bradford River | River

IThis river was once called the dirtiest river in England, but now, Bradford Baker is almost unknown.Most of its 7-mile (11-kilometer) long route has culverts, which means its route passes through tunnels built below the city center, and can even pass unnoticed Bradford City Hall.

However, after completing a restoration project aimed at improving the natural ecology and biodiversity of the ridges and surrounding woodlands in Shipley’s urbanized area, its anonymity may be about to change.

“Most people who live here don’t even realize that there is a river here,” said Barney Lerner, chair of the ecological movement group. Bradford Bakers’ friends (FoBB). “I want to improve Bradford Beck by making it more accessible, cleaner, and more ecologically prosperous.”

Repair works Natural fiber rolls have been seen attached to the backside edges to help establish riverside plants and create different habitats for fish and invertebrates.

New native trees, shrubs and wildflowers have also been planted near the ridges to create better habitats for birds and animals, partly because the ridges can sustain more wildlife populations by slowing the water flow.

In addition, a new path was built to allow the public to enter the river, where people can see wild animals, including woodland birds, herons, ducks and fish.

“As the plants grow, they begin to roll up the coir fibers, making the entire river greener and more natural,” Lerner said. “Another important element is the new sidewalk so people can actually see it.”

The project is mainly funded by UNEP, with additional funding from the Bradford Committee and technical support from FoBB volunteers.

Ineke Jackson, UNEP project manager, said: “We are very pleased to be able to create more space for nature in this very urbanized area of ​​Bradford Baker. As it flows through Shipley, the ridge is surrounded by very steep river banks. These works are designed to allow river water to flow more naturally in the available space, and to help humans and wild animals make the most of local rivers.”

Bradford City Council’s project manager Andrew Mindham said: “We are very pleased that the planned works have now been completed. This marks the last year of a three-year plan to restore cloth Radford Baker has lost part of the ecological value due to human activities over the years.”

In the heyday of the Victorian era, Bradford Baker-“Mucky Beck”, because it once (and is still affectionately called by some older Bradforders) played a role in the development of the city Core role. Bradford even named it “Broad Ford”, a major river crossing point near today’s Church Street.

The river has no culverts and is an important source of power for the city’s growing wool mills and factories, but this means that it is heavily polluted. In 1867, 2 million gallons of sewage were pumped into the ridge every day.

Lerner said that since the mills no longer exist and most of the river is underground, the smell is easier to tolerate, but it is still an “intermittent problem.”

“Some days you can stick to it. It is crystal clear, but sometimes it is turbid white or cloudy gray. At this time, the smell may be a real problem. We have spent a lot of time discovering and reporting sewage problems, and slowly The local matter is resolved.”