The waterways, designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, around Tong and Tong Norton are being restored as part of environmental works being undertaken by Bradford Estates.
Excavation machinery has been used to carry out dredging work to remove sediment at Norton Mere to improve the flow and quality of the water which then cascades down to Church Pool. At Church Pool, the original moat for the site of Tong Castle, now runs between the M54 and A41 Newport Road, and has also become overgrown and blocked with sediment at its mouth. Once operations at Norton Mere are concluded, the focus of works will move to this location to recover another historic island lost from the original design.
“There are a number of leisure uses of the waterways by the local community, including by local angling clubs at Church Pool and Norton Mere, so we hope users see the benefit of the work which has been carried out.”