Agenda item

To receive an update on the New River Loop and works being carried out.

RECEIVED an update on the New River Loop and the works taking place.

NOTED

1.    Key points were highlighted by Ian Russell, Principal Engineer.

2.    Information was provided on the current problems and the actions completed to address these. This included upgrade of pumps, clean petrol interceptor at Chase Green, chalk treatment (annual activity),
de-silting of selected areas and improving footpaths and repairing revetments.

3.    Ongoing actions taking place included an upgrade of the Parsonage Lane pumps (due to be completed in November/December), installing remote water level monitors (scheduled for December) and interpretation features – designs are being developed with input from The Enfield Society.

4.    A feasibility study is also underway for Chase Green Wetlands, with public consultation taking place in October/November 2022.

5.    Questions and comments were invited.

Comments/Questions.

Q. What would the wetland area do to take the pollution out of the system?

A. Lowering the ground level of pipes would help with the pollution. It would also provide native plants which would create the right sort of environment to help the filtering process and allow management of any pollution.

Q. Will the upgrade works scheduled for December at Parsonage Lane help to increase the water flow in this area?

A. Yes it will help, but it will never seem like a big flow in this area.

Q. Areas of the New River Loop (NRL) through Enfield Town Park, where it abounds the Golf Course are totally unmaintained and not been touched for several years. One of the heritage bridges is obscured by growth across the river and there appears to be years of leaves on the riverbed that need to be cleared. Is this a case of having capital expenditure to install things such as the Wetlands at Chase Green, but no resources for regular and ongoing maintenance of the NRL?

A. To de-silt this section would be a huge undertaking. However, we need to make sure we are working closely with the Operations Team that manage trees and vegetation and it is hoped that more funding will be secured to allow for work on the New River Loop to continue. Doug Wilkinson, Director of Environment & Operations Services acknowledged that there is a lot of work to be done. A maintenance programme started last year and was going well. However, he said that it was important to manage peoples’ expectations when it came to the challenge of finances. It was acknowledged that this was a key environmental issue for the borough but there must be a balance of what is feasibly possible

Q. Will birds be able to build nests in future years following de-silting?

A. Yes, they will.

Q. There has been a lot of local opposition to the proposed Chase Green Wetlands. Is there the possibility of a different approach being taken which could just involve replacing the petrol interceptor with something different?

A. Other options have been looked at, but these are expensive to install and maintain. Wetlands do not need much maintenance as they only need to be cut back once a year and are therefore nice, passive systems which are very easy to maintain.

Q. A lot of residents are against the Chase Green Wetlands as many families gather here in the summer, therefore if this green space is taken away people cannot use it as they traditionally would. Would the Wetland not be better placed at Hillyfields which would be more feasible?

A. The key reasons for creating a wetland at Chase Green are to help reduce the impact of urban pollution on the New River Loop and reduce flood risk

The wetland will take up 650m²   which is only 2% of the area, so there would still be a lot of green space left at Chase Green for residents and families to enjoy. We are thinking about protecting homes and the town centre in extreme weather conditions which we are experiencing more and more. Consultation is ongoing and all responses and views will then be captured, and decisions made.

Q. With regards to repairs is there a strong management link between Enfield Council and Thames Water?

A. Our links are much stronger now than they were eighteen months/two years ago, and confidence has increased.

The Chair thanked Officers for their interesting and informative update.