You are most fortunate, the local council in St. Albans have delegated the maintenance of the Park and model boating lake to a Leisure company. We have trees around us and little boys love throwing things in the lake and we offered our services to clear the lake as long as the Leisure company took the detritus away. Neither the leisure company nor the council enforce the conditions of the contract.
Before things were 'outsourced' I did have a little influence in getting the boating lake cleared of the mud which builds up. This is partly what the lake is for as a settling area that feeds into the large lake, but it has to have regular maintenance, that was nealy 10 years ago. Since then we have had to produce risk assessments for the new lake 'managers' I met with a very well meaning lady to discuss the whole thing, she made promises of this and that but never heard from her again!
Apparently we are not insured to go in the lake while they are involved 'officially' with work to take the rubbish away. The lake varies from 1 -2 feet deep and has been in use for model boats for 80+ years. We use wellies and waders etc when we need to set up a sailing regatta, but that was long ago. The indifference of the council is very sad, they wish we were not there.
Parking is all controlled the car park within the Park is packed with footballers etc on Sundays. There are many visitors to the park it is big enough to absorb everyone and in the car park the cars go round and round looking for someone to vacate a space.
The last regatta we held, seveal years ago (Sunday) now I attended at 09.30 on a Sunday morning, I was unable to park nearby and went on a tour of St. Albans there was not one place to park any where!
The car park itself could easily be extended but English Heritage have placed an embargo on any work like this, siting Roman ruins coud be destroyed. The area in question was I believe a spoil site for the lake excavations many years ago!
We are not allowed to place a spike in the ground for roping off an area except in a tightly a controlled zone.
The council members have strange ideas about development, we are happy that money is tight so that they cannot really screw things up. A few years ago the councillor with the portfolio for the park wanted everyone to arrive on a bicycle! Can you imagine a small family with children able to do that?
I have been involved in establishing sailing on the lakes for years now (15+) but I think we are beaten by indifference. You have to get there very early or forget it. During the week it is not so bad but not that convenient either.
I have given up, which is not in my nature and additionally joined another club with a small sailing lake where I can stop and park and enjoy my surroundings.
regards,
Roy
Author
Topic: New Brighton Lake Cleaned (Read 4658 times)