Mersey Rivers Trust is restoring wetlands along Whittle Brook in Great Sankey to improve water quality, create wildlife habitat, reconnect the river with its floodplain, and reduce local flood risk. The first wetland was completed in March 2026, with further restoration planned for winter 2026/27.

Background:

Whittle Brook is a 9.7km long stream which flows south-east from two sources: one in Clock Face and the other in Bold Heath. These two tributaries join in Lingley Green before flowing down through Great Sankey and into the River Mersey. Habitat loss, urbanisation and pollution all threaten the many species found along the Brook.

Similar to most British rivers, historically, Whittle Brook has been straightened and over-deepened to help drain the land. Unfortunately, this disconnection of rivers from their floodplains has contributed to many wetland species having declining populations. Over the last 500 years, England has lost an estimated 90% of its wetlands.

Whittle Brook in 2024 prior to restoration work.

Improvement Works:

 In 2024, funded by an Environment Agency WEIF grant, Mersey Rivers Trust began work designing several project ideas along Whittle Brook to improve its water quality. The Environment Agency’s original reasons why Whittle Brook was not achieving good status was due to excess nutrients entering the river from various sources and physical modification.

In 2025, following consultation with the Environment Agency and Warrington Borough Council, we delivered our first water quality improvement project along the Whittle Brook Linear Greenway, Great Sankey. This project set out to create a marginal wetland which could provide functional habitat for local species including European Eels, Water Voles, and Daubenton’s bats.  Re-grading the banks reconnects the river to its floodplain, creating the perfect conditions for wetland vegetation to establish. In March 2026, our first wetland was constructed. Local volunteers helped us plant common reed and marsh marigold across our new wetland on Whittle Brook. We planted these species not just because they look great, but because they’re fantastic natural "de-polluters". Common Reeds clean the water in two fascinating ways. Firstly, they can directly absorb pollutants from the water and digest them for energy in a process called phytodegradation. The second process is known as bioremediation. Reeds contain a large network of roots which release sugars and oxygen to attract special bacteria. These bacteria then return the favour by recycling pollutants that would otherwise be toxic to the reeds. The overall impact of these interactions is improved water quality.

Whittle Brook in 2026 immediately after the marginal wetland construction.

Interpretation panel overlooking our wetland site.

Future Plans:

In winter 2026, we aim to create another wetland along Whittle Brook to complement the work undertaken in the previous winter. We aim to re-activate one of the lost river channels of Whittle Brook through de-siltation works. This will allow the river to spill into the old channel following heavy rainfall. This channel will divert some of the pollutants washing into the brook towards a wetland basin which will act as a filtration system before the channel reconnects to the main river again.

The work will bring some tree loss, but at a net gain for wildlife, with improved water quality, reduced flood risk. Any tree lost as a result of the works will be used to create habitat piles on the site, which can be used by hibernating mammals such as hedgehogs.

Design of the planned wetland project due to be delivered in winter 2026.

Project location Winter 2026:

Get Involved:

We're looking for volunteers to help plant the next phase of wetland habitat in March 2027. Keep an eye on our Eventbrite page and social media channels for upcoming opportunities.