Restoring the ancient peat bogs of the Marches Mosses

Fenn’s, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses are part of the Marches Mosses in Shropshire that ranks as the third largest area of lowland-raised peat bog in the UK and a National Nature Reserve.

Acting like a giant sponge, these ‘mires’ slow the flow of water from hills, as well as storing twice as much carbon, acre for acre, than woodland. But around 96% of the world’s peat bogs have been destroyed through peat cutting, agriculture and drainage.

SDG ALIGNMENT

Sustainable Development Goal 6 - Climate Action

Sustainable Development Goal 14 - Life Below Water

Sustainable Development Goal 15 - Life on Land

Location

England, UK

Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and Shropshire Wildlife Trust are behind the Marches Mosses BogLIFE Project which aims to revive this important peatland, and its surrounding peat edge habitat (lagg), by restoring 2,500 acres as a healthy ecosystem. Not only will this boost biodiversity, it will also improve the local environment’s resilience to the effects of climate change, including flood risk.

Natural England asked WSP, working with our partners WM Longreach and RAB Consultants, to manage two projects to improve hydrology (water management) within two highly sensitive parts of the March Mosses; the edge of Fenn’s Moss and World’s End. Both are part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

WSP’s role would involve our specialist water engineers managing the sites and the project contractors, ensuring a collaborative approach that delivered value for our client. Responsible for worker and public health, safety and welfare during the projects, we also needed to ensure that restoration work did not adversely affect neighbouring agricultural land or increase flood risk to properties in the area.

Our work around the northern edge of Fenn’s Moss centered on diverting a major watercourse carrying unsuitable enriched water, called the Bronington Manor Drain, to enable peatland in this area to be restored.

Works were successfully completed in this four-month project despite the wettest winter in 30 years with 400m culverted and 1km of open channel works. Specialist equipment - low ground pressure long reach machines which run on bio-oil - minimized impact on the soft ground of the SSSI / SAC area.

A second, smaller project focused on restoring World’s End Field, which is adjacent to the Bettisfield Moss, and also located within a SSSI / SAC. The existing World’s End Drain was realigned away from the Moss and flood banks constructed around the perimeter of the Moss to reduce flood risk. The scope included the use of 1.6 km of clay bunding to control water levels and the reinstatement of a gravity drainage system to discharge into Lord Hill Drain.

Throughout these works, we sought to minimize any impact on the fragile peatbog landscape and the wildlife it hosts, while also managing existing drainage systems. Exclusion zones were observed around badger setts. Further special measures were taken to ensure the protection of water courses, including silt traps. Bridleways and footpaths crossing the site required tactful liaison with the public and client to ensure safe passage throughout the duration of the works.

As a result, the Mosses now have a more naturally functioning water management (hydrology), which will enable their delicate ecosystem to regenerate. In turn this means the bog is more resilient with its amazing store of carbon safeguarded and it is able to play its role in flood risk reduction.

Vic Mohun at WSP comments: “After hundreds of years of exploitation of peat bogs, it’s hugely exciting to be part of a project, the largest of its type in the UK, to restore such a special and important habitat. This is all about long-term future planning and understanding the role that raised lowland bogs play in local water management."

“As well as being environmentally sustainable, the project will deliver multiple community benefits such as helping the local economy by attracting visitors to the area, encouraging volunteer involvement and providing education opportunities. The result is a more resilient future for people and the planet.”

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