Southern Water have completed their improvement works on Towngate Pond in Newport.
The improvement works were undertaken under Southern Water’s Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) with the Environment Agency. The existing pond was artificial in nature with stone banks, sedimentation and the weir acting as a barrier to fish moving further up the Lukely Brook as well as causing significant erosion of the adjacent bank.
The works undertaken included removing the stone weir, allowing fish to reach further up the brook and improving flows, reshaping and stabilising the eroding bank and reprofiling the banks to create sloped, natural margins planted with native species.
The stone removed from the weir and banks has been used to create seating areas in the slope overlooking the pond so that people can enjoy spending time in this valued amenity space.
Temporary protective netting has been placed around the new plants to protect them from ducks and other wildfowl whilst they establish. The plants will be watered weekly throughout Summer to ensure they successfully take root.
Further improvement works on the Lukely Brook by Southern Water are planned for Spring 2024 at Spring Lane in Carisbrooke where the intention is for the ford to be formally closed to vehicles (subject to consultation) and the channel reprofiled to create improved aquatic and marginal habitats and enhance fish passage.
