Measures aim to boost biodiversity on the river as it flows through Shipley and improve public access.
From the Guardian
It was once known as the filthiest river in England but these days, Bradford Beck is hardly known at all. Much of its seven-mile (11km) route is culverted, meaning its course runs through tunnels constructed beneath the city centre, even passing unnoticed under Bradford city hall.
But its anonymous status might be about to change, after the completion of a restoration project which aims to improve the natural ecology and biodiversity of the beck and surrounding woodland across an urbanised stretch in Shipley.
“Most people who live here don’t even realise there is a river,” says Barney Lerner, chair of ecological campaign group Friends of Bradford’s Becks (FoBB). “I wanted to improve Bradford Beck by making it more accessible, cleaner and more ecologically thriving.”
The restoration project has seen rolls of natural fibre attached to the edges of the beck to help establish riverside plants and create varied habitats for fish and invertebrates.
New native trees, shrubs and wildflowers have also been planted near the beck to create a better habitat for birds and animals, in part by slowing the water flow to allow the beck to sustain greater wildlife populations.
In addition, a new path has been built to allow public access down to the river where people can see wildlife including woodland birds, herons, ducks and fish.
“As the plants grow they begin to tie the coir rolls down and make the whole river greener and more natural,” says Lerner. “The other important element is new footpaths so that people can actually get to see it.”
The project was primarily funded by the Environment Agency, with additional funding from Bradford council and technical support from FoBB volunteers.