Experts are being asked to suggest more ways of making immediate improvements to the environment conditions at lakes across the area.

Consultants AECOM is carrying out a feasibility study into a long-term solution to the problem of poor water quality at Verulamium Park lakes in St Albans.

This involves restoring the River Ver to its natural state as it flows through the park toward the Sopwell ruins. Now AECOM is also to look for new interim measures that can be taken before this major project is delivered.

St Albans City and District Cllr Anthony Rowlands said: "It is likely to be 18 months to two years before really radical improvements can be made to the park lakes.

"In the meantime, it is very important that we find interim ways of mitigating the serious problems that have affected the area around the lakes during the past two summers.

"We need to do all we can to ensure there is not another outbreak of avian botulism that has killed dozens, if not hundreds of wildfowl.

"AECOM is a leading environmental services firm and we hope that they can come up with new approaches to dealing with this issue in the short term while we wait for a permanent solution to be agreed and implemented."

It is hoped they will provide a series of suggestions by January.

The ornamental lakes at the park, which is owned by the council, were built more than 80 years ago.

In the decades since, there has been a steady build-up of silt due to excessive bird droppings. The water flow from the River Ver has also been to slow to “cleanse” the lakes.

The silt is unsightly, reduces water quality, gives off unpleasant smells, sparks algae blooms and produces bacteria harmful to birds.

A number of short-term measures have been taken by the council over the past few months to improve conditions.

These include the removal of 45 tonnes of silt, the appointment of a park ranger dedicated to monitor the lakes and efforts to reduce bird feeding.

The council is working with the Environment Agency on the long-term solution and AECOM’s feasibility study, examining the options and costs, should be submitted in April 2017.