Moorland work in Peaks 'may avert floods'

Making Space for Water has been launched by Moors for the Future in partnership with the Environment Agency, and aims to make moorland a "sponge" for excess water.

Researchers from Manchester University's Upland Environments Unit are also involved and plan to investigate the effect of re-vegetating degraded moorland.

It is thought that if some which has been subject to erosion and wildfire could be restored, it would slow the run-off into watercourses during heavy rainstorms.

Lord Smith, chairman of the Environment Agency, launched the project beside Severn Trent Water's reservoirs in the Derwent Valley, where moorland restoration work will begin.

He said: "The moors play an important natural role in reducing the risk of flooding. They absorb, retain and slowly release rain or floodwater, easing river water levels at critical times.

"Protecting moors through schemes like this could ensure they continue to help manage flood risk, as climate change is likely to bring more intense rainfall and resulting floods."

The team will be working on an 89 hectare (220 acre) site on the Kinder Plateau, one of the most degraded areas of the Peak District, and one well known to walkers for its inhospitable terrain and weather.

Work will include blocking some of the deep gullies in the peat where excess rainwater quickly runs off the plateau into local rivers, as well as re-establishing moorland plants that absorb moisture and carbon, which is hoped to help tackle climate change.

Moorland erosion has also been caused by acid rain pollution from nearby cities, the harsh upland climate, over-grazing and pressure from the sheer number of Peak Park visitors.

It means that soil both blows away in the wind and seeps away as sediment into streams, rivers and reservoirs.