PLANS have been unveiled to improve the brook running through Sanders Park to create a better home for wildlife.

Works to remove sections of the crumbling concrete channel along the Battlefield Brook will begin at the end of September and last for 18 weeks, replacing it with a naturalised channel.

A second phase scheduled for February 2019 will see minor habitat alterations such as adding ripples and pooling sections to the upstream and downstream reaches.

During this time different areas of the park will be fenced off as the works take place, and at times some sections of footpaths will be temporarily closed.

Bromsgrove District Council’s portfolio-holder for Leisure, Cllr Peter Whittaker said: “We are keeping the disruption to a minimum but do ask park users to bear with us as the changes will provide a more attractive habitat for the wildlife.”

This work is one of many National Environment Programmes taking place across the UK by various water companies.

The Environment Agency have identified these schemes to ensure water companies meet European and national water quality targets.

Battlefield Brook was selected as an area in which habitat improvements would be required to enable the watercourse to achieve “good” river quality status.

Heather McCready, from Severn Trent, who are carrying out the work in Bromsgrove, said: “This work aims to improve local habitat and provide an environment in which wildlife, such as the water voles, can populate and traverse between the natural upstream and downstream sections of the brook.”

Residents are invited to drop-in at a special engagement session run by Severn Trent, NMCNomenca, and partners including the council, on Thursday, August 17, between 2pm and 7pm. An information van will be parked near the entrance to the park.