Last updated: October 2021
The Revealing the Roch project uncovered two sections of the River Roch to expose a historic bridge which had been hidden for over 100 years (ref 1). Re-opening and deculverting the River Roch and bridge has a tangible benefit by reducing flood risk for the town (ref 4). The scheme, which is a key part of Rochdale town centre’s ongoing regeneration programme will help reduce flood risk in the town center and create educational opportunities. The project also includes enhancing the natural heritage of the river by introducing features that encourage river vegetation and creatures to re-establish themselves (ref 5). The project has since led to a wildlife boost, with brown trout, bullhead fish, heron and kingfishers all being seen since construction work to open the river began. (Ref 3). As the River Roch connects to River Mersey which empties into the North Atlantic ocean, this intervention addresses marine ecosystem restoration as well.
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Grey infrastructure featuring greens
- Blue infrastructure
- Riverbank/Lakeside greens
- Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries
Key challenges
- Water management (SDG 6)
- Flood protection
- Stormwater and rainfall management and storage
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Regeneration, land-use and urban development
- Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development
- Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
- Inclusive governance
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Environmental education
- Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
- Preservation of natural heritage
- Protection of historic and cultural landscape/infrastructure
- Preservation of historic traditions
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Transformation of previously derelict areas
Project objectives
• Removal of three sections of the modern bridge.
• Restoration of the historic bridge.
• Re-naturalisation of the river bed (provide natural habitat for flora and fauna as well as visual appeal while still allowing the river to flow freely)
• Restoration of the surrounding public realm.
• A programme of public engagement [education] and reducing flood risk for city center (ref 2)
• Create educational opportunities (ref 1)
Implementation activities
• uncovered two sections of the River Roch to expose a historic bridge which had been hidden for over 100 years (ref 1).
• Removal of three sections of the modern bridge.
• Restoration of the historic bridge.
• Re-naturalisation of the river bed (provide natural habitat for flora and fauna as well as visual appeal while still allowing the river to flow freely)
• Restoration of the surrounding public realm.
• A programme of public engagement and reducing flood risk for city center (ref 2)
Climate-focused activities
Climate change adaptation:
- Increase or improve urban vegetation cover to help reduce outdoor temperature
- Renaturalization of rivers and other water bodies
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
- Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
- Public engagement
Main beneficiaries
- Local government/Municipality
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Government-led
Type of initiating organisation
- Local government/municipality
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
- Other
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The scheme is a key part of Rochdale town centre’s ongoing regeneration programme, by the Rochdale Borough Council (ref 1)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
€2,000,000 - €4,000,000
Source(s) of funding
- Public national budget
- Public regional budget
- Other
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Water management and blue areas
- Increased protection against flooding
- Improved stormwater management
- Green space and habitat
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Increased number of species present
Economic impacts
- Increase in GDP
- More sustainable tourism
- Other
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Improved access to urban green space
- Cultural heritage and sense of place
- Protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure
- Education
- Increased support for education and scientific research
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
1. Rochdale Borough. (n.d.) Revealing the Roch. Accessed 9 July 2020. Available at: Source link
2. Rochdale Council. (2013). Re-opening the river Roch. Accessed 9 July 2020. Available at: Source link
3. Manchester Evening News. (2016). Underground river revealed for the first time. Accessed 9 July 2020. Available at: Source link
4. Farnell, R. (2016). Reopening the River Roch in Rochdale and reducing flood risk. Accessed 9 July 2020. Available at: Source link
5. Volker Stewin. (n.d.). Revealing the Roch. Accessed 9 July 2020. Available at: Source link
2. Rochdale Council. (2013). Re-opening the river Roch. Accessed 9 July 2020. Available at: Source link
3. Manchester Evening News. (2016). Underground river revealed for the first time. Accessed 9 July 2020. Available at: Source link
4. Farnell, R. (2016). Reopening the River Roch in Rochdale and reducing flood risk. Accessed 9 July 2020. Available at: Source link
5. Volker Stewin. (n.d.). Revealing the Roch. Accessed 9 July 2020. Available at: Source link