THE final phase of work is nearing completion to improve habitat for wildlife in the Cinderford Brook and retain important historic features.

The project by the Severn Rivers Trust has focused on the Blue Rock Trail between Ruspidge and Soudley.

The trust has worked with a local contractor, D W Hancox, to install a series of carefully designed stone and timber features within the channel.

These will help to slow the flow of water and create areas of refuge for fish and river invertebrates.

The brook currently flows quickly through the historic stone-lined channel, leaving few places where wildlife can shelter.

Slowing the water could also help to reduce the speed at which water travels downstream during periods of high flow.

The new structures are fixed to the channel bed to prevent them washing away.

An engineer advised on how each feature could be attached by hand with the method successfully trialled before the main work began.

Two sections of stone wall that were beginning to erode have also been repaired.

The trail remained open allowing people to see the improvements taking shape.

Chloe Hatton from Severn Rivers Trust said: “Blue Rock Trail is a really well-used and much-loved local route, so it was important that we found a way to improve the brook for wildlife while protecting the character and heritage of the site.

“The new features will give fish and river invertebrates places to shelter from the fast-flowing water, while the wall repairs will help preserve the channel and character of the trail.

“We’re really pleased to see this final phase of work taking shape.”

This phase of the project was funded by Enovert Community Trust.

Severn Rivers Trust also worked closely with the landowners, Ruspidge and Soudley Parish Council and Forestry England, and liaised with the Dean Heritage Panel.