The waterways, designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, around Tong and Tong Norton are being restored as part of environmental work carried out by Bradford Estates.

The farm business, which manages 12,000 hectares on the Shropshire-Staffordshire border, is repairing silted areas and improving the drainage of the linked waterways from Norton Mere to Church Pool, Tong.

The water features are recorded as being designed by perhaps the most famous British landscape designer of all time, Capability Brown, as improvements to the park at Tong Castle in the 1760s. At the time, Brown was busy on other nearby estates in the West Midlands including Weston Park.

Excavators have been used to carry out dredging work to remove sediment at Norton Mere to improve the flow and quality of the water which then flows down to Church Pool.

CCTV camera surveys were carried out to assess the condition of underground pipes and drainage channels to determine the extent of repairs needed to prevent localized flooding.

Forestry work will soon begin to reveal the three historic islands of Norton Mere and a ruined boathouse, which over the years have been hidden by the growth of invasive species and volunteer trees such as rhododendron and silver birch.

At Church Pool, the original moat for the site of Tong Castle, now runs between the M54 and A41 Newport Road, and has also become overgrown and blocked by sediment at its mouth. Once the work at Norton Mere is complete, the focus of work will shift to this site to restore another historic island lost from the original design.

Chief executive Alexander Newport said: “The waterways around Tong have great value to the local community and historical significance, so we recognized the importance of undertaking this restoration work.

“The accumulation of material and vegetation over perhaps a century or more has meant that some of the original features have been lost and these works will turn back the clock.

“There are a number of recreational uses of the waterways by the local community, including by local angling clubs at Church Pool and Norton Mere, so we hope users will see the benefits of the work that has been carried out.”

The works have been delivered by chartered foresters and surveyors Bronwin & Abbey, based in Llandrindod Wells, who manage all forestry on Bradford Estate’s land holdings.

Chief executive Robert South said: “It has been fantastic to see the water flow and quality improve as the project progresses, benefiting the local environment and the groups who use the Mere and Church Pool. A lot of investigation time and engineering effort has gone into carrying out the work, which will to mean that the resulting landscape and hydrological improvements should be permanent.”

RH Fisheries use Norton Mere. Director Robert Hales said: “Bradford Estate’s work will improve the water at Norton Mere, which is a very popular fishing spot enjoyed by many people.”

The Prince Albert Angling Society (PAAS) is among the groups that use the Church Pool. Andrew Strickland, General Secretary PAAS, said: “Water management is vital to ensuring the long-term health of the local waterways. The work carried out by Bradford Estates will benefit our members and enjoy visitors to Church Pool for many years to come.”