The Biggar Water Restoration Project will work in partnership to restore two sections of the heavily modified Biggar Water, known locally as the Biggar Burn
Tweed Forum is working with SEPA, South Lanarkshire Council and the community of Biggar to restore the Biggar Water, known locally as the Biggar Burn until it flows south east towards Broughton and the River Tweed, where it flows through two important community spaces – Burnbraes Park and Biggar Park. The Biggar Water has historically been impacted by various human activities (such as dredging and channel straightening) which have stopped the burn from functioning naturally. A carefully designed restoration programme should help create a healthy ecosystem (both within the watercourse and the wider floodplain) and slow the flow of floodwaters.
Following thorough investigations to determine the best approach to restoring the heavily modified burn, designs have been drawn up which include restoration measures such as:
• re-meandering of straightened sections
• removal of hard bank protection
• installation of woody structures and bar apex points
• creation of wetland/backwater areas
• native tree planting and riparian habitat creation
as well as improved access infrastructure (paths, footbridges etc.) in and around the burn.
These restoration measures will help return the Biggar Water to a more natural state by reconnecting the burn to its floodplain and improving habitats for the plants and animals that rely on the burn and its wider floodplain. The measures should also provide some resilience against the impacts of climate breakdown and we look forward to working with the Biggar community to deliver this exciting project.
Transforming the Biggar Water/Burn: an artist’s impression of restoration work on the Biggar Water/Burn
