Bogs on Winter Hill being restored to help tackle flooding

An area of peatland bigger than 730 football pitches is being restored across greater Manchester.

Since October peatland restoration work has been carried out on the West Pennine Moors close to Winter Hill and in the Goyt Valley at Dovestone with 524 hectares – the equivalent of more than 735 football pitches – benefitting from restoration work, essentially bring bogs back to life.

Healthy peatlands provide numerous benefits to both communities and wildlife.

As well as acting like giant natural filtration systems which improve water quality, they support natural flood management by storing more water in the landscape for longer and slowing the flow of rainwater that runs off the hills.

The picture shows some the work already undertaken by United Utilities on the West Pennine Moors, the stunning backdrop to Bolton and beyond, to restore peatland across the North West. Picture United Utilities (Image: United Utilities)

Jim Airton, Estates and Land Manager at United Utilities said: “Healthy peatlands provide numerous benefits for our customers and the environment of the North West.

“These natural filtration systems not only reduce sediment in the water which means they are excellent at improving the quality of water that runs off the land into rivers, streams and our reservoirs, they also capture carbon from the atmosphere.

“Holding water in the land for longer boosts biodiversity by creating a tapestry of different habitats for plants and wildlife to flourish and makes the land more resilient to dry spells and drought.”

Nature-based solutions are also helping United Utilities improve its operational resilience.

Jim Airton added: “Slowing the flow not only protects natural waterways, it reduces stress on urban drainage systems.

“We’re working across our estate, and with partners on a range of biodiversity-enhancing projects ranging from tree planting and peatland restoration to urban rainwater management schemes.”

United Utilities has worked in partnership with Moors for the Future Partnership, Lancashire Peat Partnership, RSPB and Natural England to deliver the work.

In the last five years has already improved over 3,000 hectares – or 4,200 football pitches – of peatland across the North West.