Whitchurch Waterways Country Park

Whitchurch Waterways Country park is an open space to the west of the Shropshire town of Whitchurch. Opened in its current form in 2002, it is a recreation area and Green corridor that takes in a town park, Greenfields Nature Reserve, Staggs Brook and the Whitchurch Arm of the Llangollen Canal. The area is maintained by Whitchurch Town Council and owned by Whitchurch Waterway Trust. There are plans to extend the canal within the country park and create a basin for Narrowboat moorings.

Staggs Brook, which forms part of the park, is an important habitat for water voles photo: Espresso Adict, geograph.org.uk
Whitchurch Waterways Country Park showing canal end at Chemistry Bridge photo: Espresso Adict, geograph.org.uk
View from the other side of Chemistry Bridge, where it is planned to extend the canal photo: Espresso Adict, geograph.org.uk

History and location

The country park was created as part of Whitchurch Renewal Area Scheme and developed from a project initiated in the 1980s by North Shropshire District Council and the town council to bring a defunct canal back into Whitchurch as a tourist attraction.[1] Originally a branch of the Llangollen Canal, the canal had opened in 1811 and was formally closed in 1944.[2] Early work to secure the future of the site included the purchase of land in the Sherrymill Hill area of the town to preserve it from future development and the creation of the Whitchurch Waterway Trust to lead the project.[3] The country park formally opened in 2002.[1] It is located to the west of Whitchurch, close to the A41.[3] The area includes Greeenfields Nature Reserve – managed by Shropshire Wildlife Trust – Staggs Brook, the town's Jubilee Park and the Whitchurch Arm of the canal.[3][4]

Wildlife and natural features

The presence of water and unimproved grassland and patches of semi-natural woodland, particularly around Greenfields Nature Reserve, has created a habitat that includes Cuckoo flower and water voles, as well as many butterfly species.[5] The area around Staggs Brook is now managed to maintain it as a suitable habitat for the water voles, which are a protected species in the UK.[6][7][8]

Potential future developments

In February 2012, Whitchurch Waterway Trust unveiled plans to extend the canal under Chemistry Bridge and create a new basin with moorings on part of the country park. The proposed scheme would cost an estimated £475,000 and enable canal boats to moor closer to the centre of Whitchurch.[9][10] The proposal is still being assessed for flood risk and impact on biodiversity after queries were raised by both the Environment Agency and the Canal and River Trust.[1]

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See also

References
  1. "History of Whitchurch Waterway Trust". Whitchurchwaterway.org.uk. 26 July 1988. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  2. ""IWA Winter Walk: Whitchurch"" (PDF). Inland Waterways Association. 2 January 2010. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  3. web.manager@shropshire.gov.uk. "Whitchurch Waterways country park – Shropshire Council". Shropshire.gov.uk. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  4. "Shropshire Wildlife Trust Whitchurch Branch". Malcolm.monie.care4free.net. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  5. "Natural England – Special Sites". Lnr.naturalengland.org.uk. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  6. Shropshire Wildlife Trust. "Meres and Mosses | More about Greenfields". Shropshire Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  7. "Whitchurch Water Voles Home Page". Woodlanereserve.co.uk. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  8. "Water voles". Natural England. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  9. "Waterways Trust unveils its £500,000 bid for canal revamp « Shropshire Star". Shropshirestar.com. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  10. "Latest News and sport in Whitchurch , Shropshire, UK | Shropshire jobs, houses & cars – Whitchurch canal extension scheme advances". Whitchurch Herald. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
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