A GREEN space could be transformed in a bid to stop pollution from roads being flushed into a stream.
South Gloucestershire Council has unveiled proposals to create a “rain garden” between Merritt Way on the Siston Hill estate and Warmley Brook.
It would involve creating several ponds that would fill with run-off from roads during wet weather, filtering out pollutants before they can reach the stream.
A survey produced for residents describes the project as a “beautiful, nature-friendly” feature, “that not only looks great but also helps protect our local environment”.
The council said: “Right now, every time it rains, water runs off our roads and into drains, carrying with it all sorts of nasty stuff like oil, petrol and brake dust.
“That polluted water flows straight into Warmley Brook, harming wildlife and increasing the risk of flooding.
“Warmley Brook should be teeming with wildlife because it presents the perfect habitat for fish, amphibians, insects and birds. It should be a place where children can play and cool off on a hot summer day, a place where they can come face to face with the wonders of nature. It is instead, dirty, polluted and comparatively lifeless.
“We want to create a new ‘rain garden’ that uses nature to clean and slow down the water before it reaches the brook.
“It would encourage more wildlife – plants, birds, insects, frogs and more – making it a nicer place to relax or walk, with lots of interesting features and cleaner water.
“A rain garden located on the green space between Merritt Way and Warmley Brook would be particularly effective.”
The scheme would also involve creating a new play area, walkways and access to the main public footpath.
The council says that at present, highway drains take are designed to direct rainwater run-off straight into waterways, which also raises the risk of flooding downstream.
Redirecting outflows into shallow channels lined with gravel and plants allows pollutants to be filtered, slows the flow of water and allows some of it to naturally soak into the soil.
Although the green space would be adapted, the council says there would still be plenty of “unaffected areas of lawn”.
The council is paying for the designs for the project but says if it goes ahead, it would not be funded by council tax.
Instead, money would come from the South Gloucestershire Investing in Climate and Nature (ICaN) Scheme, which enables businesses to invest in schemes that reduce their environmental impact.
The survey closes on August 3 and can be found online at tinyurl.com/yc3zz8r3.