Works to restore the duck ponds in Royal Victoria Park in Bath are to get underway later this year as part of a £75,000 project.
A contractor has been appointed by Bath & North East Somerset Council to remove silt from the ponds, and improve the quality of the water.
The works, which are needed to preserve the ecology of wildlife and plant species living in and around the ponds, are scheduled to begin at the end of October.
An aquatics specialist will net the remaining fish in the ponds and relocate them, ahead of an ecological survey.
The silt will then be removed to another location within the park where it will be fenced and allowed to settle, before being seeded with grass and landscaped into part of the public park.
This will help to reduce the carbon footprint of transporting large volumes of waste elsewhere.
Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “We are pleased that we have been able to appoint a contractor for this project, which has taken a number of years due to the specialist nature of the work needed to preserve the ponds’ ecology.
“For many years the ponds have been a much-loved part of this beautifully landscaped park and it’s great news that they will be restored to their former glory for visitors of all ages to enjoy.”
