[L-R: Paul Saynor, Water Production Director from Wessex Water, with Councillor Oli Henman, Cabinet Project Lead for Climate Change at the pond last week (September 12).]
I told you I heard there was a photo call in Royal Victoria Park last Friday beside the waterless ponds involving B&NES and Wessex Water.
Finally, we get to see the photograph and, more importantly, a press release officially outlining agreement from both bodies to work together to try and find a water supply solution.
Here’s the press release in full:
Bath & North East Somerset Council has enlisted the support of Wessex Water in a partnership to secure the future of the historic Royal Victoria Park pond.
Maintaining water levels in the pond has been a challenge for a number of years. The Georgian-era spring mains that supplied it became degraded and the water was rerouted, since it posed a flooding risk to nearby properties. The pond has recently begun to refill from rainwater after drying out in hot, dry conditions this summer.
The council is exploring options with Wessex Water to identify a longer-term water source for the pond. There will be an opportunity for engagement with the public over the coming months to consider all options in line with the council’s Greener Places Plan.
Councillor Oli Henman, Cabinet Project Lead for Climate Change, said: “The Royal Victoria Park pond is a valued asset that has been popular with residents and visitors for many years. The council is committed to working with Wessex Water to bring the pond back to life and ensure a long-term water supply. Like many people, I enjoy spending time in Royal Victoria Park and have been saddened to see the challenging situation this year.
“We are at the beginning of the restoration process and plans are evolving based on expert advice, however, we can state that the pond will not be left in its current condition. The council aims to create nature-rich areas across B&NES that communities connect with – so we’ll be asking for your feedback in the future on options to ensure a sustainable habitat for the pond that is better suited to future climate conditions.”
Paul Saynor, Water Production Director at Wessex Water, said: “While the pond’s water supply has never come from our network, we appreciate its importance to residents and wildlife. We’re more than happy to offer our expertise and remain committed to continuing to support B&NES Council in finding a solution.”
Updates on the pond will be available on a dedicated Royal Victoria Park Pond webpage on the council website.
The council’s Greener Places Plan is being developed to promote climate resilience, the sustainable protection of habitats and greater opportunities for recreation and wellbeing through engagement with nature.
Royal Victoria Park, opened by Princess Victoria in 1830 when she was aged just eleven years old, is close to the city centre and spans 57 acres. It features beautiful botanic gardens, the Great Dell Aerial Walkway, a children’s adventure playground, café and the Temple of Minerva, which is used for intimate events in
Sounds like Wessex Water is trying to avoid any responsibility and expense. The beginning of a fight to save the ponds, then.
First of all, this certainly is a problem of some years – over 120 years to be precise. It goes back to at least 1870, possibly earlier. This is why it was remodelled after 1879, when it became known as the lake – but this did not solve the problem. Perhaps making it much larger was not very wise. This is definitely not the first time it has been empty. It was in the 1930s, and very low in 1971. But in previous years, once Bath Council finally acquired all the waterworks in 1874, they could divert water. In 1974, that all changed. The council were instructed to transfer the ownership of waterworks to what was then a Regional Water Authority – Wessex Water. The waterworks included what had been the old Circus Waterworks – and it was these which supplied the water sources in the park. In 1989 came privatisation and Wesex Water had complete control.
So, whatever Wessex Water may say, the water certainly did come from what is now their network, and I can easily provide the back history (thanks to letters by John Wood the Younger, no less) to demonstrate it. However, as I was employed by the council as historic consultant for Sydney Gardens, how about them employing me again. Because I think it would be rather lovely to restore the pond to its original shape and plant a garden for the 21st century, as many other historic gardens, facing climate and wildlife difficulties, are now doing.
I hope Cllr Herman takes you up on your offer!!
I read somewhere that the water for the ponds came from St Winifred’s Well, a spring in the grounds of Winifred House, now Bath Spa University, up on Sion Hill. The water was routed across the Common to the ponds, not clear if in a pipe or channel.
It was part of the Circus Waterworks – John Wood the Younger specifically mentions it. It was discovered that this is where the water to the park was coming from when the oil tank at the house at the bottom of the lane leaked. The oil turned up in the Botanical gardens. It may even have been Wessex Water who tracked it down but I wouldn’t like to swear to that!
The update is very much appreciated, however it states “ we can state that the pond will not be left in its current condition”, which doesn’t specifically mean it will still remain as a pond!