 | Major restoration work in Mary Stevens Park in Stourbridge has been gathering pace with the removal of fish from the pool. There was a removal of around 10,000 resident fish from Heath Pool last Thursday and Friday. |
Lost bikes and scooters, batteries, the front end of a motorcycle, obligatory shopping trolleys and old radios were also found in the pool which is being dredged for the first time since 1974 as part of the £3.1 million park revamp.
Councillor Hilary Bills, Dudley's cabinet member for environmental services, said the wildlife needed to be safely removed from the pool before a major operation to remove the silt gets underway.
She added: "Some of the fish were in poor health because of the historic water quality, something we are improving through this work, but the fish are now being treated at the fishery.
"For safety, the site will be sealed off until work is complete in the spring, but we will be keeping park users up to date with the work with signs up at the pool.
"We have been working closely with a number of environment and wildlife experts to ensure the safety of all the fish and other animals.”
Norton resident Lewis Payne, who has been creating a photographic record of the park restoration works, was among those watching the dramatic removal of the fish. He also caught a glimpse of one the park's famous resident terrapins.
Councillor Heather Rogers, chairman of the Friends of Mary Stevens Park, stressed no trauma was caused to the fish which were caught in large nets by experts from Furnace Mill Fishery and Wyre Forrest Aquaculture.
Councillor Hilary Bills, Dudley's cabinet member for environmental services, said the wildlife needed to be safely removed from the pool before a major operation to remove the silt gets underway.
She added: "Some of the fish were in poor health because of the historic water quality, something we are improving through this work, but the fish are now being treated at the fishery.
"For safety, the site will be sealed off until work is complete in the spring, but we will be keeping park users up to date with the work with signs up at the pool.
"We have been working closely with a number of environment and wildlife experts to ensure the safety of all the fish and other animals.”
Norton resident Lewis Payne, who has been creating a photographic record of the park restoration works, was among those watching the dramatic removal of the fish. He also caught a glimpse of one the park's famous resident terrapins.
Councillor Heather Rogers, chairman of the Friends of Mary Stevens Park, stressed no trauma was caused to the fish which were caught in large nets by experts from Furnace Mill Fishery and Wyre Forrest Aquaculture.
RSS Feed
