Dear Sir,
The Town Council commissioned a report by the Ground Work Trust on the Ecology and Hydrology of the lakes and that report is expected to be brought to the Council’s Recreation Committee in October hopefully.  On  Cllr Adam’s comments about duckweed in the lakes, which is remarkably similar to a former Chairman of the Environments article on Facebook.
I would make a few points. Firstly  comparing the top lake with the bottom lake,   the top lake was virtually 70% cleaned out by Friends of West Park volunteers and council staff until they were stopped by that same  former Chairman of Environment.  The top lake has been relatively clear of algae, weed and duckweed ever since (you see mainly water not green in the top lake.)  In previous years this was not the case.
Duckweed has never stopped algae growth and the photos we placed on our Facebook pages over the last 3 years almost daily proves this. It is indeed, a symptom of other problems in the lakes.  When the lakes used to get drained and cleaned many years ago,  then refilled, it never once affected the swans, ducks, geese and sticklebacks and minnows or snails.
Since that time the valve system has fallen into disrepair and the council stopped cleaning the lakes. Each year the algae has come back stronger. Friends of West Park have the total support of the residents and many non-resident visitors  in wanting to see these lakes cleaned out, and the water flow problems sorted.
The Council recently changed it’s view on the lakes in September last year when the Recreation Committee   RESOLVED – that it be recommended:- (i) That this Park is to be viewed as a Recreation Amenity first and foremost for use and enjoyment by the general public. Wildlife are a welcome addition but not the primary purpose of the Park. Its primary purpose is to serve the public as an amenity open space, with play equipment and other recreational use, similar to the Parks at Woodham, Simpasture, Moore Lane, St Oswalds, Byerley Park, Horndale and Town Park. (ii) That Officers continue to seek alternative ways of dredging the lake. (iii) That an advisor or advisors be engaged to comment on the hydrology and ecology of the lakes.
That is the policy of the Town Council now.  West Park has,  and continues to improve, thanks to the Town Council working with and listening to Friends of West Park and residents.  For those who just want to see algae,  duckweed,  etc, visit the Ropemoor reserve pond, or the Nature Park pond, or the Angling  lake or the Ineos lake. Sorry my mistake,  none of these natural ponds and lakes are actually covered with algae or duckweed. How the wildlife manage to survive in them heaven knows!
Cllr Arun Chandran
Chairman of Environment
GATC and Secretary Friends of West Park