Dear Sirs,
Observing the progress of the work by the Friends of West Park and reading the numerous letters published in the Newton News, prompted me to attend the Council Meeting last Wednesday evening.
From the outset it was clear the council had carefully prepared their response which was delivered in a statement by Councillor Fleming. He described the reasoning for the construction of the West Park Lakes as a Flood Protection Measure; with the need for shallow water on the grounds of child safety. He also talked about maintaining water levels in hot dry weather by allowing plant growth to reduce evaporation.
I have lived in Beechfield for nearly forty years and something I have noticed, recently, is the frequency of flooding of the park and its pathways after heavy rainfall. In winter the Canada Geese have a wide choice of swimming pools.
Such flooding did not occur when the lakes were regularly drained and the detritus removed, which begs the question; should the drainage work be resumed or does the council accept a cheaper option and leave the task to the West Park Volunteers?
Yours faithfully
Ian Cutter,
Beechfield Resident
