ISLANDS are being created in the centre of a vast stretch of water being transformed into London’s largest wetland nature reserve.

Reed beds which will preserve water quality and improve the habitat for animals at Walthamstow Wetlands are currently being installed under the multi-million pound project.

The £8 million project will be complete next year, and will allow cyclists, bird watchers, anglers and ramnblers free access to the Thames Water owned resevoirs.

When opened, dogs will be banned due to health and safety concerns with the untreated water in the reservoirs supplying up to a third of London’s drinking water.

The centrepiece of the site will be a new cafe and environmental education centre after the conversion of the derelict Victorian built Marine Engine House.

The Wetlands is the the largest fishery in the city, as well as being a site of international importance for wildlife.

Councillor Clare Coghill, cabinet member for economic growth and high streets, on Monday (November 30) to witness the initial stages of the work to create new reed beds and islands.

“Preserving the delicate balance of biodiversity is central to this project,” she said.

“It’s really important that at the same time as encouraging more local residents to take advantage of this beautiful corner of the borough, we don’t lose sight of the fact this is home to a diverse range of wildlife.”

The project to transform the 200 hectare site transformation has been spearheaded by the council, which secured £4.47million of funds from the Heritage Lottery Fund last year.

Another £1.84m was contributed from site owners Thames Water, with £1m from the council and £750,000 from the Greater London Authority.

The Wetlands will open to the public in Spring 2017, under the day-to-day management of the London Wildlife Trust.

The site is two miles long and one mile wide and comprises ten reservoirs in Waltham Forest, bordering Haringey and Hackney.

Improved habitats will help nature conservation and the site’s industrial heritage will also be preserved, including restoration of a pumping station to house a visitor centre, café, exhibition space and educational space.

The Grade II listed Coppermill Tower will house a new viewing platform.

Following a series of underwater surveys, Bioengineering specialists Salix are now constructing new revetments and re-using dredged silt to create 2.5 hectares of new reed beds.

These beds will be filled with about material dredged from the reservoir.

Richard Edwards, Business Development Manager for Salix, said: “Reed beds provide an important habitat for a wide range of wetland wildlife, including mammals, invertebrates and birds such as reed bunting, reed warbler and bittern. They also help to clean the water by absorbing nutrients.”