Marlborough’s Stonebridge Meadow is to get a new reed bed and pond

Work starts next week on Marlborough’s new reed bed and pond at Stonebridge Meadow.  The meadow is a 15 acre site to the east of Marlborough jointly owned and managed by Action for the River Kennet (ARK) and Marlborough Town Council.
 
The constructed wetland, which will be at the western end of the meadow, has been designed by international expert Rob McInnes and features a bed of marshy reeds, with a boardwalk running over them and a pond.  As well as creating an interesting place for people to visit, the reed bed will naturally clean water that runs off surrounding roads before it reaches the River Kennet.
 
Fundraising for the project began three years ago, with Action for the River Kennet’s pond raffle and street collection. Since then the project has been awarded grants from the Environment Agency’s Catchment Restoration Fund and the Big Lottery Fund’s ‘Awards for All’.
 
Stonebridge Project Officer, Anna Forbes said: “I’m delighted that work is starting next week, the wetland will do a great job of cleaning up pollution, as well as attracting different species of birds and insects. We will be looking for volunteers to help plant up the reed bed, so if you would like to be involved please email me.”
 
Marlborough’s Town Mayor, Councillor Marian Hannaford-Dobson said: ”It’s a very exciting project. The new boardwalk will make it easier for everyone to access and enjoy the meadow.”
 
ARK’s director Charlotte Hitchmough is keen to warn people that “While work is going on the site will be very muddy. We will be working closely with Marlborough Town Council to make sure that the meadow remains safe and accessible, but access to some areas will be restricted for short periods.”

“We hope that everyone will bear with us in this first messy stage, and we can all look forward to the finished project.”
 
For information about volunteering email anna@riverkennet.org