Pond works at Tove Wetland Pocket Park

Posted 5 hours ago in Towcester Town Council

During the next few weeks, planned works will commence to remove the excessive build-up of Canadian Pondweed from the balancing lake at Tove Wetland Pocket Park.  The balancing lake had been effectively managed by volunteers from the Tove Wetland Pocket Park Committee until it sadly folded a few years ago.  Having sought advice from the Northamptonshire Amphibian and Reptile Group (Northants ARG), and after a number of false starts with promised quotations which have failed to materialise, the Town Council is pleased these works can finally proceed; restoring the balancing lake to fulfil its original purpose, enhancing the biodiversity of the pocket park and, once again, provide opportunities to local children to conduct pond-dipping and bug sweeping activities.  This will include:-

• The cutting and clearance of vegetation from two inlets/headwalls to allow for access with a 360 excavator to remove silt and to create clearer channels to the rest of the pond and outlet. This will aid water flow through the pond and help to stop the build-up of silt moving forwards.
• Coppice and cut back various willows and shrubs/trees from areas surrounding the balancing pond to enable better access for the works and to aid maintenance of the pond in the future. 
• 360 long reach excavator to remove silt and the majority of vegetation from pond, retaining small pockets of vegetation within the pond where it will not impede the water flow or function of the balancing pond. 
• Dig a deeper area near to the outflow to create a 'silt trap' which can be excavated easily from the rear side for future maintenance.
• The silt and vegetation is to be stacked neatly around the perimeter of the pond to allow invertebrates/animals and water to re-enter pond. This silt and vegetation will be landscaped around the perimeter, and no waste will be removed from site. 
• The reinstatement of any areas surrounding the pond, as required, with top soil, seed levelling and re-grading. 

Whilst there is no ‘perfect’ time, the scheduling of the works for October/November will minimise disruption to natural habitats whilst also allowing for the coppicing of trees and other vegetation outside of the bird nesting season.   

As the use of heavy equipment will be required, the Town Council would like to apologise for any disturbance which may be caused to residents over the course of this work.