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Search the Public Notice PortalThere have been problems with the lack of water in the lakes of Wanstead Park for many years.
The largest, the Ornamental Water, has retained little water for some time.
One part of a potential solution from the park authorities is to pump water from the River Roding into the adjacent Ornamental Water, then onto the other lakes in the park.
In a way, the plan operates the opposite way to the originally designed water system. Then, the water flowed from the Basin on Wanstead Golf Course to the Shoulder of Mutton onto the Heronry Lake, the Perch Pond and finally the Ornamental Water.
The stop-gap measure in recent times has seen the Environment Agency (EA) granting a licence for Epping Forest to pump water from nearby bore holes into the Heronry Lake and Perch Pond. But this is a short-term arrangement, not a permanent solution.
The park authority, Epping Forest, is set to replace the old pumphouse with a new one to extract water from the River Roding during the winter months, though Environment Agency approval is required for this to happen.
The role of the River Roding in this is an interesting one.
On the one hand, there are the warnings about rising river levels with the onset of climate change. This could put the surrounding residential areas under threat of flooding.
A safety valve, like the extraction of water to expanses like the park, can relieve some of this pressure.
On the other hand, at present, river levels seem low, with competing interests wanting to draw on already depleted resources.
Some imaginative thinking is required from all sides.
Pumping water from the Roding into the lakes has a role to play, but there will be a question of how much?
What will future water levels be on the Roding? Perhaps some thought should be given to developing more reed beds and wetland-style terrain?
The park needs to be viewed as just one part of the overall mosaic that includes the River Roding as well as surrounding residential and non-residential areas.
A more holistic view is needed to ensure a truly sustainable long-term solution.
- Paul Donovan is Labour councillor for Wanstead Village ward, Redbridge Council and a blogger (paulfdonovan.blogspot.com).
