LOVE Your River Bromsgrove have joined forces with Bromsgrove District Council to prevent further flooding in Sanders carpark and reduce water pollution in the town.

The project hopes to reduce the impermeable surfaces on Bromsgrove’s roads and carparks which are allowing harmful oils and salts into the river system when it rains.

There are 14 parking spaces at the Sanders Park overspill carpark which regularly flood and are sometimes unusable due to the pooling rainwater on top of the impermeable surface.

Lucy Wood, water and wetlands officer at Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, said: “Our project shows you can still have the parking facilities but the water will be able to go through the soil and be cleaned before entering the brook. The soil will drain the water in more slowly and will reduce flooding of the car park and reduce oil from going into the brook.”

It is hoped that holding rain back from the river will help to protect homes for people and wildlife as it will reduce the erosion of river banks as well as water pollution and flooding.

John Godwin, head of leisure and cultural service at Bromsgrove District Council, said: “We’re pleased to be working with the trust to carry out these improvements in Sanders Park. Park visitors will benefit too as it will help keep the overspill car park free of water even after heavy rain.”

Contractors are expected to start work at Sanders Park on Sunday, February 28, weather permitting.