Welcome to Stafford Forum. Please or sign-up and start posting!
I have often wondered about the balance pools by the old Rugby Club, anyone know anything about them.
there is also the pools behind Sandon Ro is ad, they look very shallow and I have never seen anyone fishing them but might be worth a go.
When the balancing ponds were extended, in 1990, there were variation stipulations about what could and couldn't happen. No material could be removed from the total site, it was just moved around to create the extra capacity in the lower pond. There were, as you say, areas of 'maritime vegetation' and these was not to be disturbed at all. These fenced areas at the time were mostly in the western part of the lower pond. I haven't paid a lot of attention in recent years, but the inflow of Marston Brook, under the railway, could often have a very distinct 'farmyard aroma'.https://www.staffordbc.gov.uk/astonfields-balancing-lakes Regularly walk/run/cycle past this. The only fish I have seen in it are Sticklebacks, as it is slightly saline that is not surprising. On a couple of occasions I have seen the flash of a Kingfisher. It is not surprising that Stafford and the areas around it populations of plant species more commonly seen near the coast. Not as prevalent as Cheshire, but look at the place names. I used to work at Salt Bank Court, just off Marston Road, and of course Salt itself. There used to be Salt Works in Staffordnear where the tip is now,. Apparently 100's of years ago cattle over Doxey Marshes used to dry white with salt when they emerged from the water. I learned to swim at The old Brine Baths over 50 years ago!