The £250,000 scheme, which requires the removal of up to 4,000 cubic metres of silt, is intended to improve the wetland area for wildlife and visitors, increase resistance to flooding and enhance local biodiversity.
The work got off to a slow start as heavy rain at the end of October had resulted in the lake flooding (again!), forcing the contractors to amend their method of operation, and requiring additional equipment to be brought in to enable desilting to continue should the water levels remain high.
The path around the north side of the lake was closed from the 1st November, but the path leading north from the lake, towards the community orchard and Savages Wood, remained open for the first week.
The amphibious excavator finally arrived on site on the morning of Tuesday 8th November and the path up to the community orchard was closed later that day. This route is being used by trucks taking excavated silt to the spoil dumping site around 500m north of the lake. In contrast to the path around the lake, this route is only closed Monday-Friday.
Maps and waymarker signs are in place to advise people of the alternative routes to follow.
Looking to the future, South Gloucestershire Council has been working with the Environment Agency to explore ways to reduce the amount of silt entering the lake system.
A council spokesperson said:
“The Three Brooks Lake project is part of our long-term commitment to managing the local environment and tackling the effects of flash flooding. We have started the first of a series of planned natural flood management schemes to slow the flow of water into the main lake. In late October, ahead of the desilting works, we worked with Bristol Avon Rivers Trust and local volunteers to set up a series of berms, made from chestnut poles and hazel brash, which encourages the water flow to meander round the berms so the silt is more likely to settle before it reaches the lake. Plans are underway for further natural flood management initiatives including a project to slow the flow where Hortham and Patchway Brooks meet, in 2022.”
This article originally appeared in the November/December 2021 issue of the Bradley Stoke Journal magazine (on page 27). The magazine is delivered FREE, nine times a year, to ALL 8,700 homes in Bradley Stoke. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.
Meet the contractors drop-in event
UPDATE added 23rd November 2021.
Come and discover how South Gloucestershire Council and its contractors, Land and Water Services Ltd, are working to enhance the lake, which is heavily silted up. Visitors will be allowed access into the site compound and see the machinery being used to deliver the project. There’s an opportunity to meet the project team and learn more about future plans for the site.
Date & time: Friday 26th November 2021, between 1pm and 3pm
Location: View map
Please reserve an entry ticket by booking a place here: Three Brooks Lake desilting project – meet the contractors – drop in event (Eventbrite)
This is a drop-in event, where you may arrive between 1pm and 2.45pm to learn more about the project by meeting members of the team.
Due to Covid and H&S restrictions we are unable to allow access in the vehicles and are having to restrict numbers in the compound.
Footpath works to start soon
UPDATE added 2nd March 2022.
The path around the north side of the Three Brooks Lake (and the viewing platform) will be closed for seven weeks while work is done to lay down a more accessible 3-metre-wide route.
The new stone surfaced route will link up the two stone bridges. Contractors will start on Monday 7th March 2022 and a diversion route will be in place. The contractors will be operating between 7.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Work to improve the footpath around the north side of the lake is set to start on Monday 7th March 2022. See update appended to the above post.