Plans are coming together for a long-term project to improve rivers and lakes in St Albans.

St Albans City and District Council has launched web pages dedicated to explaining the project, which will aim to improve the water in the River Ver and Verulamium Park's artificial lakes.

The council will work with the Environment Agency, Affinity Water and Hertfordshire County Council's countryside management service to improve the environmental conditions surrounding the Ver, which will include improving the water quality of the 80 artificial lakes built through Verulamium Park, built around 80 years ago.

Short term measures to improve the water quality in the lakes have already taken place, include removing 100 tonnes of silt, but the build up of algae and silt can lead to the growth of dangerous bacteria which could be harmful to wildlife in the park.

Councillor Daniel Chichester-Miles, Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: "Verulamium Park is one of the district’s flagship attractions and quite understandably there is great public concern about the state of the lakes.

"We have taken some short-term measures to improve conditions, such as two major operations to remove more than 100 tons of silt.

"However, we need a long-term solution that deals with the underlying causes of the problem and for some time now we have been working on that with a number of partners, including the Environment Agency.

"This is a complex and challenging task and it is vital that we engage with park users and residents during every step of the process to explain what we are doing and gain their support."

The council is looking to secure the necessary funding for the project, and have put together the site so residents can see which areas may be affected and how they can give their views.

David Johnson, the Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust's living rivers officer: "The water quality in the lake has been a significant problem in recent years so any measures that would improve this would be welcomed by the trust.

"Verulamium Park is a nice place to visit and spot some of our wonderful local wildlife so we would welcome any improvements to the River Ver and the lake in the park which would see a benefit for wildlife."

Consultants AECOM are carrying out a feasibility study into options to improve the river and lakes, the likely impacts and the costs involved.

For further information visit http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/parks-and-green-space/parks/verulamium-park/riverver/