Dredging works begin at Parkgate Marshes

Dredging works will begin in Parkgate this week, which will include the installation of a new pond and drainage maintenance, Cheshire West and Chester Council said.

The Parkgate Marshes on the Dee Estuary are a known flood risk and require constant maintenance. High tides on the Dee Estuary are also becoming more frequent and severe.

Work starts this week on 2,000 metres of a main gully which will be cleared, from the Old Quay to past the Boathouse car park. Short sections of gullies/grids leading from the Parade will also be included to improve water flow management, said the council.

A new pond will be created to the right of existing flash at Old Baths car park by merging a number of small pools into one.

The work is expected to take around two weeks to complete. The project has been arranged with the landowners, RSPB, using their approved contractor.

Funding for the dredging operations has been received from Cheshire West and Chester Council, Neston Town Council and the ‘More from Trees’ project managed by The Mersey Forest.