Flood alleviation and biodiversity works at Brooklands community park, Weybridge

Works have started last week at Brooklands community park to desilt the flood alleviation pond and enhance local biodiversity.

Over time, the pond has gradually evolved into a willow carr, a wet woodland environment, shifting away from its original function as a pond. Ponds like the one at Brooklands play a vital role in reducing flood risk by temporarily storing excess rainwater during periods of heavy rainfall. It is therefore essential to ensure they are properly maintained.

The current works will include:

• scraping silt from the pond to restore its primary function as a reservoir, increasing its capacity to hold water during river flooding. This will also help re-establish its original pond habitat.
• clearing excess vegetation from the nearby double ditch, which currently prevents it from functioning effectively. Vegetation will be cut to ground level and treated with herbicide.

Due to the pond’s proximity to the remaining banks of historic Brooklands motor racing circuit, a site of national heritage significance, the ditches cannot be desilted using traditional methods. This issue was discussed extensively with Historic England, and the ‘cut-and-herbicide’ approach was agreed upon as the most suitable solution.

We understand that the use of machinery may cause temporary restricted access to parts of the park. The works are expected to be completed within eight weeks, depending on weather conditions. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. 

We will keep the disturbance to a minimum. Notices are posted on site, and we encourage visitors with any enquiries to contact us.