Richard Struck

Welcome to the latest edition of Rickmansworth This Week e-news.If you would like to receive this by email, please contact me at rwstruck@gmail.com to get your own regular delivery. Feedback on this newsletter is always welcomed.

Footpath gets named
The historic footpath between Ebury Road and the High Street that was re-opened at the end of last year after a seven year campaign is to be called Farr’s Alley after the old clock and watch man who had a tiny shop in the alley for many years.

Gypsy & Traveller consultation
Following the East of England Regional Assembly meeting (EERA) in Norwich which increased Three Rivers’ allocation of pitches from two to 15, there is now a public consultation on the issue running until May 16th. If you wish to comment please see www.goeast.gov.uk/goeast/planning/regional_planning

Easter holiday activities
The Easter Activities programme for 5-16 year olds is now available from Three Rivers DC, with lots of activities all round the district.

Works at the Aquadrome
The work under way in the Aquadrome is the result of a £75,000 award to Three Rivers from the Aggregates Levy Fund – the Aquadrome qualified because the lakes are the result of gravel extraction in the 1920s.

The programme includes:

• Tree Works – mostly long overdue pollarding. The trees look stark now but they will soon shoot again
• Reed Bed Creation in this recently declared Local Nature Reserve
• Wet Meadow Creation with wildflower seeds and bulbs to be planted
• Interpretation/Welcome Boards – six new boards are being designed
• Furniture – new litter bins, dog bins and benches
  

In addition to the works funded by the Aggregates Levy Fund, the temporary scaffolding bridge in the Glade is being replaced by a more accessible bridge. The work should be finished in early April.
The sluice in Bury Lake will be replaced. The building of the new Café and toilet block will start in May after the Festival.
During the year the existing main car park will be renewed. The network of footpaths will be improved and made more accessible. The vehicle barriers within the Aquadrome will be replaced which will improve security and safety. Finally, there will be bank stabilisation in some places to reduce erosion, create extra habitats, increase wildlife value and help reduce the blue-green algae problems.