Nesting coot threatens Brooklands maintenance start date

Work to stabilise the bank of the Teville Stream where it flows into Brooklands Lake was due to begin in the first week of June, but the discovery of the nesting coot could see this delayed.

Councillor Clive Roberts, executive member for the environment at Worthing Borough Council, said: “Until the baby coots have hatched, we have to delay the start of the works as they will create some noise and disruption in the local area. By law, we’re not allowed to move or disturb nesting birds, so we simply have to wait for the chicks to hatch.”

A small square of the Brooklands car park will be used to house the materials needed for the bank stabilisation works, which are anticipated to last for approximately three weeks including four days piling work. To enable the contractors to work safely, the water level in the lake will be lowered during the works.

The cafe and toilets located in the park will be unaffected by the work undertaken to the lake bank.

Mr Roberts said: “The lower water levels won’t pose an issue to any other wildlife around the lake and once the works are fully completed - hopefully by the end of June - we will refill the lake fully.”