Restoration works begin on Harrow Lodge Park lakes

Councillor Damian White, Leader of Havering Council, was at Harrow Lodge Park to unveil a new viewing platform and watch as dredging works were taking place.

The viewing platform is near to completion.

Once open to the public, will give residents and park users the chance to get a magnificent view over the western side of the lakes for the first time.

The platform is fully accessible for all and offers the chance to see at close hand, more of the wildlife that has made its home here. 

The decking is constructed from recycled materials, to help towards durability and sustainability.  

It is located away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the park.

For those using the platform it will be a place to sit or stand and watch wildlife in a tranquil and peaceful space.

Councillor White, was joined by ward councillors, Councillor Christine Smith and Councillor Ciaran White.

As well as the Council’s parks team and contractors Ebsford Environmental, who are carrying out the works on behalf of the Council.

Dredging works are one part of the overall restoration works, with the aim to improve the condition of the lakes and help enhance the wildlife habitat there.

Money was set aside to do this in last year’s council budget through the Parks Capital Investment Programme. 

The company are experts in large lake and river de-silting projects that reduces waste and the impact on wildlife, while at the same time increasing bio-diversity. 

Councillor Damian White, said: 

“The new viewing platform once open, will be a wonderful addition to the park.

"We hope that residents and park users will make the most of it, to see a different side of the park and the lakes than perhaps they normally would.

“I am delighted that restoration works have now begun and that these works will help improve the lakes and improve areas for wildlife.

“We made a commitment to do this last year as we know how important it is to have an environment which will see our parks and lakes thrive.”

Works will include the removal of over 18,000 tonnes of sediment [dregs] from the lake.

This will be re-used to help create a bankside habitat for wildlife with aquatic plants and wildflowers.

The silt will also be used to help repair various areas of erosion on the banks along the lakes, which are currently causing health and safety concerns.

The restoration and improvement to the waterways will see better levels of oxygen, that will lead to healthier lakes.

Over the past few years, the Council’s parks teams together with environmental partners, have been managing bacterial issues including outbreaks of avian botulism. 

Silt deposits over time have caused the quality of the water in the lakes to decline and this has led to stagnant water.  

The successful management of these issues has resulted in silt testing which is free of toxin and means it can be reused elsewhere on site.  

This gives an opportunity to remove the silt from the waterway and solve the silt deposit problem for a longer time.