Work to revitalise the River Ver where it flows through St Albans is set to start this winter, with completion expected by spring next year. 

The project will help enhance a 2.5 kilometre stretch of the Ver to create new wetlands, restore a meadow to its previous state and open up the shaded river to sunlight. 

St Albans Councillor Helen Campbell said: “Residents will be pleased to know that work will soon be under way on this project which has been years in the making.

“The Environment Agency has a long-term commitment to restore rare chalk streams, such as the Ver, and improve their ecosystems.

“We are right behind this endeavour as these streams are sometimes referred to as England’s rain forests or Great Barrier Reef. They are national treasures.”

The wetlands are expected to help improve biodiversity by providing a habitat for wildlife to prosper.

There will also be tree work taking place stretching from the St Michael’s Street entrance to the park and then to the allotments. 

The tree and wetlands work is being funded by money the Council has obtained from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the EA and Affinity Water.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “Trees are vital to our environment and we appreciate that tree work and removal can be an emotive subject for all of us. 

“We've completed detailed surveys and are only removing specific trees - primarily non-native, unhealthy and hazardous specimens - to allow more light to reach the river, supporting the rare plants and wildlife that make this chalk stream so special.

The council also aims to improve the appearance of Verulamium Park’s heavily silted artificial lakes.

Cllr Campbell added: “The Ver project allows us the opportunity to tackle the decades-long issues with the artificial lakes which were built almost a century ago to a design that would not be considered today.

“I know that the state of the lakes is one of our residents’ major concerns and we are determined that we will seize this chance to provide a long-term solution.”