Community and wildlife to benefit
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MORAY Council is to clear ponds in Forres to make them more attractive to wildlife and passers-by.
Maintenance work is being carried out by lands and parks contractors at the Mosset ponds until the Spring, using a £25,000 grant from the Scottish Government Town Centre Fund.
A council spokeswoman explained: "Moray Council has consulted with SEPA and work will be carried out following their guidance. It will improve the appearance of the area whilst maintaining it as a habitat for wildlife. The pond will be dredged, and tree surgeons will prune the overgrown bushes and remove trees with dead and broken stems in the water. Sections of the footpath will also be upgraded, and the timber bridges treated with wood preservative. "
She added: "The water level within the pond will be dropped to allow access to the island for the work to be carried out, and to remove sludge and debris, mainly at the outlet end of the pond."
The spokeswoman confirmed the work is required over and above routine maintenance.
She added: "Clearing debris and sludge from the pond will improve the water quality; clearer water will let more light in to allow the natural growth of water plants and warm the water for amphibians. The removal of decaying vegetation will improve oxygen levels in the water, and removing broken branches will stop litter and leaves becoming trapped."
