Monitoring and survey work on the Marholm Brook

Peterborough City Council (PCC) employees recently used one of their environmental leave days to undertake some monitoring and survey work on the Marholm Brook in Peterborough. Works have recently taken place on the brook as part of a partnership between PCC, the Environment Agency, and Peterborough Environment City Trust to improve habitat and create more natural features. Work on a further stretch of the brook is due to start soon, with the aim of helping the river to reach good ecological status.

The event was organised by PCC and provided an opportunity for colleagues from various teams across the council to get involved and learn more about the project. The event was also attended by RiverCare, who runs regular volunteer events across our area, and other representatives from the Environment Agency who were on hand to answer any questions about the monitoring work.

The volunteers carried out activities including water quality field readings, sampling, fixed point photography and surveys, as well as clearing litter form the green spaces around the river. The activities provide data to help assess how successful the river restoration works completed so far have been. The group also collected useful baseline information for the stretch where works are still to be carried out.   

PCC’s Programme Manager, Richard Whelan said: “It’s always brilliant to see how keen people are to get involved and learn more about their rivers. The enthusiasm of the volunteers on the day was fantastic.”

For more information, or if you would be interested in a similar environmental leave day please contact [email protected].