The reintroduction of beavers has garnered praise for their role in alleviating flooding problems at a London Underground station, according to local officials. Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan highlighted the positive impact these animals have had on Greenford station, which is situated on the Central line in Zone 4 of West London.
Greenford station has faced persistent flooding issues during heavy rainfall, primarily due to the overflow of a nearby creek. In response to this ongoing challenge, environmentalists initiated the Ealing Beaver Project in 2023, which involved the reintroduction of Eurasian beavers to Paradise Fields in North Greenford. This initiative was made possible through a license granted by Natural England and is a collaborative effort involving the Ealing Wildlife Group (EWG), Ealing Council, Citizen Zoo, and Friends of Horsenden Hill.
Within weeks of their introduction, the beavers constructed a dam that resulted in the formation of a pond and an additional six ponds during their first year. This natural engineering has effectively diverted water from the main creek, significantly reducing the flow that contributes to flooding at the station.
“Beavers are nature’s engineers – we just didn’t realize how efficient they could be,” Mayor Khan remarked in an Instagram post. He emphasized the importance of these creatures in not only preventing flooding at the Tube station but also in restoring local habitats. “Nature is healing (and civil engineering),” he added.
The success of the Ealing Beaver Project has inspired discussions about similar initiatives in other areas, with one commenter suggesting a comparable project in South Norwood Country Park. The project not only addresses immediate flooding concerns but also highlights the potential for wildlife to contribute to urban environmental management.
Quellen: mylondon.news
Bildquelle: Bildquelle: John Cameron auf Unsplash
