[L to R: Councillor Oli Henman, Paul Saynor]
After carrying out some feasibility studies, I hear that provisional ways of restoring water levels to the ponds in Royal Victoria Park in Bath will be tested this summer, ahead of longer-term plans to secure a permanent water supply.
The studies by Bath & North East Somerset Council and Wessex Water were to map potential water sources. The council says it will continue to remove silt and debris from the pond, investigate how severely the liner is leaking and take steps to make repairs.
Temporary ways to increase water levels in the pond will be explored, including diverting rainwater from the roof of the Temple of Minerva and the stream at the edge of the Great Dell. The cascade from the Botanic Garden will also be cleaned and repaired.
The council’s long-term aim is to restore a regular water supply to the pond, opening up an opportunity to re‑imagine how the ponds sit within the park, including its landscape, ecology and biodiversity.
Councillor Oli Henman, Cabinet Project Lead for Climate Change, said: “Royal Victoria Park is one of Bath’s most treasured green spaces. Restoring a sustainable water supply and reimagining how the ponds sit within the park is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to preserve this habitat for the future.
“The interim measures we’ll be carrying out at the ponds this summer aim to stabilise the ponds and identify a long-term water supply. By working closely with Wessex Water, we’re uncovering practical, climate‑resilient solutions that make best use of natural water sources and rainfall.
“This is a challenging context made worse by climate change and will take some time to rectify. We are approaching the work in phases to secure value for money and will likely need additional external funding for later stages. Once a consistent mix of water sources has been identified, we plan to ask our communities to help us shape the future of the ponds and the role they play within the whole park.”
Paul Saynor, Water Supply Technical Director at Wessex Water, said: “By working in partnership, we have made some really good progress in investigating a sustainable water supply to the ponds. This is an important step in helping the council restore this historical amenity for local residents and visitors.”
Further info:
Maintaining the pond’s water levels has been a challenge for a number of years after the Georgian-era spring mains became degraded and water was re-routed due to a flooding risk to nearby properties.
Work will begin once the weather is sufficiently dry. Further monitoring will assess a number of possible sources of consistent water to keep the pond topped up during dry summers.
The longer-term plans are dependent on evidence gathered by this summer’s assessments and affordability. The council plans to work with external partners to secure the additional funding needed to carry out the wider work.
New landscaping as part of overall improvements to the area surrounding Royal Victoria Park ponds will be considered, with a sustainable design incorporating new habitats.
Thank you for a full account of the state of play!