Little Weighton Pond Appeal

THE PONDS

Well here we are, two (or is it three) years later and still no tangible evidence of any visual improvements to this village amenity. As Chair of Rowley Parish Council I thought it time to enlighten you all on the current situation.
Monies have been raised via various village events and a substantial grant was received from East Riding Council thanks to the submission of a successful bid by Ward Councillor Hudson, total funding now £10,000.

The major consideration to the project centres around the dredging of the pond and the removal of excess silt and any toxic chemical elements present within the silt.

September 2006
To ensure the correct procedures where followed we sought advice from the Environment Agency via the Pond Conservation Project and the Parish Council requested that tests be undertaken.
December 2006
Test results were obtained which suggested traces of potentially hazardous elements, unfortunately the tests proved to be inconclusive and the process had to be repeated. The Council raised the question as to where the potential contamination was coming from. The obvious answer being the surface water from the various roads that feed the inlet pipes to the pond. Time moved on at an alarming rate, much to the frustration of the council.
May 2007
The results of the second tests confirmed that the samples taken, were in breach of the ‘Waste Acceptance’ criteria and classed as “hazardous waste material” and outside the thresholds for acceptance at landfill sites which would require specialist disposal. To-date no confirmation of what was causing the contamination.
October 2007
Ponds Conservation confirmed, quote; “the pond does not receive sewage from farm effluent”“. This eliminated the only inlet to the pond not directly connected to road surface ‘run-off’.
December 2007
Following meetings with Ponds Conservation, The Environment Agency & East Riding Council a Progress Report was produced by ERYC which estimated a budget cost of £199,567.00 to remove silt from the pond to a depth of 1metre, with the recommendation for ERYC not to proceed with the project. To-date no confirmation of what was causing the contamination.
January 2008
At the request of Ward Councillor Hudson the chair met with officers of ERYC. The outcome was that Rowley Parish Council could continue with the project and funding could be spend on conservation work around the pond, separate to any dredging of the silt. In addition the responsible departments of the ERYC would meet within the next 28days to consider identifying the causes the flow of excess silt /contamination and what subsequent action could be taken to remedy the situation.

To conclude it is the intention of the Parish Council to evaluate what work can be undertaken around the pond and implement an immediate working programme this spring.

S.A. Howarth
Chair
Rowley Parish Council

Tree Carving Photographs

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