Tollcross Burn – Early Braes

The approach combines habitat enhancement with 'green' engineering solutions, to provide valuable wildlife habitat, and re-establish natural hydrological processes (i.e. reconnecting the burn to its floodplain) - maximising their floodwater storage. These hydrological processes are recognised as playing an important role in trying to reduce the impact of flooding, as experienced in the East End of Glasgow during the summer of 2002.

A pilot scheme is being developed on the Toll Cross Burn at Early Braes (Baillieston Road). The site was selected as it is one of only a handful of greenspaces remaining along the burn, and is designated as a Local Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (LSINC).

The site is divided into two areas. The first (eastern area) sees the burn run through a formal park, the second (western area) is an area of degraded grassland that has been left unmanaged for many years. Water voles (Arvicola terrestris) have been recorded in the area, but recently their numbers have dramatically fallen. Due to the importance of the species the need to act promptly and with care is vital.

What is proposed?

Dr Nigel Holmes of the River Restoration Centre undertook a site visit during August 2002, producing an initial design for the scheme. Dr Holmes’ design has then been modified to focus on specific measures to improve Water Vole habitat. Once the necessary investigations and surveys have been completed a phased implementation programme will be started.

In broad terms this will involve:

eastern area - the modification of the flood plain immediately adjacent to the burn to improve riparian habitats, in particular, the creation of secondary channels closer to suitable banks that voles can use for their burrows; and

Eastern Site – looking west

western area – the creation of a wet land complex, consisting of a series of permanent pools that periodically coalesce during high water events to act as a natural storage area.

Western Site – looking north

The proposed scheme will attempt to deliver on a number of Local Species and Habitat Action Plans including:

Water Vole
Reed beds
Standing Open Water Rivers and streams
Common Frog
Common Toad
A fundamental component of the scheme is the ecological monitoring that is planned with the support of independent ecological consultants. This monitoring is vital to ascertain whether the scheme has been successful, to mitigate any negative impacts of the scheme, and to influence the on-going development and design of future phases.

The scheme is hoped to provide an example of an environmentally beneficial system that maximises flood storage potential, whilst improving/creating riparian habitats, for the adoption along other burns. The scheme is not seen as the complete solution to Glasgow’s flooding problem, but definitely a step in the right direction.

The scheme is still in the developmental stage, but plans are in place to start work on the habitat enhancement elements during 2003. Initial estimates; suggest the above can be achieved, simply by hiring an excavator and competent operator for a couple of days, at a cost of only a few hundred pounds.
For further information please contact:
Bob Frost - Kelvin Clyde Greenspace (0141 287 6086)
Cath Scott - GCC Conservation Section (0141 287 3753)
DRAFT

Back