Our Projects
Phase 3 Projects
In this phase, we have over 30 projects and over £6 million being invested into improving our rivers. Our projects are particularly ambitious, highly scalable, and build from previous successes and lessons learned.
Our approach to planning has maximised the collaborative nature of teams, and will deliver the best projects to meet our objectives, improve the water environment and provide multiple benefits for the wider environment across the North West River Basin District.
We have successfully enabled five organisations (each with their own organisational remits and drivers) to work together in a truly collaborative way.
We have built relationships, built trust and respect, and acknowledged our differences. This has resulted in us finding innovative solutions around individual constraints and limitations, including human resources, policies, finance and procurement.
Irk Vision – Bringing the River Irk to Life (BRIL)
Background The waterbodies of the Irk catchment are failing to reach good ecological potential for reasons including physical modifications, diffuse pollution and point source pollution. To get the Irk to ‘good’, a wide range of organisations and stakeholders need to work together to achieve shared aims. The river corridor has…
Use a natural capital approach to generate investment in GM – identify projects that are attractive to investors
Background The development of innovative finance models to support natural capital investment is a key aim of Natural Course and the Greater Manchester Urban Pioneer programme. Establishing and implementing a Natural Capital Investment Plan to mobilise existing and new sources of funding was also one of the key outcomes from…
Wider engagement across Greater Manchester on how to use a natural capital approach
Background Whilst an increase in urbanisation may be required to meet Greater Manchester’s growth aspirations, we need to ensure that our `natural capital’ i.e. the quality of the environment (and the ecosystem services it provides) is sufficient to support greater concentrations of people and business, and enhance quality of life…
Manage pollution from waste water: Identify opportunities for mobilisation of wastewater investment to support implementation
Background Environmental problems affecting the River Basin District are complex and interlinked. Investment frequently does not deliver as much as it could, as problems are approached in siloes and a joined up approach is not generally taken. Historically people have focused on fixing a small part of a problem and…
Use of tools and data
Background In Phases 1 and 2, considerable work has been undertaken on developing tools and data to aid river basin planning & decision making. Although the use of these tools and data is increasing, its uptake is being limited by the capacity of the local Catchment Partnerships. Follow on support…
Understanding and taking action on plastics pollution: Identifying macro plastic pathways into rivers and seas
Background The presence of plastic in rivers and coastal waters causes negative impacts on them and the wider environment. Research is ongoing internationally and nationally about the effects and solutions to the problem. However, targeted campaigns and communication about the impacts of plastics to the environment and health of the…
Understanding and taking action on plastics pollution: Micro plastics pollution in Greater Manchester
Background Micro plastics are known to cause issues to marine life and their accumulation in our oceans is of growing concern. Research published in 2018 identified micro plastic accumulation in rivers as a significant contributor to the build-up in our oceans alongside problems it can cause to the river itself…
Tackling pressures on urban water courses: Moston Brook and development of an urban catchment operations approach
Background Urban diffuse pollution is recognised as a significant issue in 10% of the waterbodies in the North West River Basin District. Surveys conducted during Phases 1 & 2 show that the issue of urban diffuse pollution is particularly prevalent in the urban catchments of Greater Manchester. There are multiple…
Greater Manchester River Ecology Project
Background The UK policy requirement for development to achieve biodiversity net gain and ecological potential or status is currently not always met. At present, land use planning does not always result in the implementation of recommended measures for river ecological mitigation and enhancement. A range of studies (carried out by…
Mobilising funds for multiple benefits and ecosystem services: Use of urban catchment forestry to deliver multiple ecosystem services in urban areas
Background Surface water flooding from overwhelmed drains is an increasing challenge in urban areas and leads to significant economic costs for businesses, landowners and individuals as well as impacts on health and wellbeing. Meanwhile, urban diffuse pollution contributes to poor water quality, impacting on the ecological status of rivers and…