Lammas Park works - Information
Over the past couple of months I have gathered information from various sources to better understand the works going on in Lammas Park.Of course I am only one person, and so I invite everyone here to add any sources they have, so that a comprehensive database can be formed. Hopefully this will mitigate any misinformation, deliberate or otherwise.I have posted the following elsewhere, and attracted more information, which is encouraging, as social media often splits people rather than brings people together.Please feel free to add more links in the comments. Obviously if this does not interest you, read no further. 1. The works in Lammas Park are designed for two main aims: to increase biodiversity, and to act as an outlet for coping with flooding in the area.2. A local resident tested the water in February claiming in an ITV interview that the coli levels he found were ‘over 10,000 cpu/100mls’ which was ‘ten times what is found in the Thames, at 1,000 cfu/100mls’. The truth is that the Thames had an average of 2,869 cfu/100mls, while his own Lammas Park pond test came back at 2,600 cfu/100mls.3. Nevertheless, contamination is a serious issue, and so immediately after this, on the 7th March, Thames Water traced the contamination to a nearby house which had misconnected its waste pipe. The pond was cleaned, and the pipes were closed until the house in question remedies their error. There has not been any new water in the ponds since Thames Water performed the operation (the ponds have dried up) and they await confirmation of the pipes being properly connected. The ponds are currently empty, and have been for some time.4. The biodiversity aspect is to encourage natural wildlife to the area (eg. Frogs, hedgehogs, bats) as well as various plants and flowers which in turn attract insects such as bees. This type of biodiversity has been on the wane due in part to green spaces primarily covered in manicured lawns, and the decline in natural gardens and front gardens of houses in urban areas. The park will provide shelter, food, and places to breed for these animals, which is not just beneficial for the environment, but educational for us, especially children. Not all the flat lawn will be lost, in fact a large part will remain (as can be seen in the attached plan). The rest will resemble more of a ‘meadow’.5. SUDS are designed not just for wildlife, but they also benefit us in the long term through reducing carbon in the air. (See attached pdf for more information).6. The area is more susceptible to surface water flooding partly due to an increase in extreme weather (climate change) and an increase in paved areas which were previously green and porous (eg. driveways). There is a map available for you to see how the area is/will be affected by flooding, which is used for planning and insurance purposes.7. The cost to us, the residents of Ealing, is £150,000. This includes all landscaping and completion of the project. The remainder of the cost is covered by The Environmental Agency and Thames Water. This is a one-off cost, which in my opinion, when compared to the annual cost of something like pothole repair (£410,000) sounds like a good investment.8. The majority of Lammas Park will still be flat and football-friendly, as can be seen by today’s aerial viewI am happy to provide the following to anyone who wants it (I don't know how to add attachments here)* I have the results of a FOI from Ealing Council showing the breakdown of the cost of the project.* I have a transcript of communication with Thames Water, with a job reference number, should anyone wish to find out more re. the surface water pipes.* I have the Ealing resident’s original Lammas Park test, and comparison to tests carried out on the Thames.* A flood map for planning can also be viewed here: https://flood-map-for-planning.service.gov.uk/map?seg=sw,hr&cz=516824.1,179928.9,16.599058* The council has published a plan of how the finished park will look, as well as an aerial photo of works in progress.* Here is a link to the news re. Funding for pothole repair in Ealing: https://ealing.news/.../ealing-council-welcomes-pothole.../* Here is a link a pdf with comprehensive and clear explanation of SUDS and how they work. There are many such documents available, however this one happens to use Ealing as one of its case studies https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/rba-gla_guide-parks_and_greenspace_final.pdf
Dominik Klimowski ● 26d31 Comments