Review requested into reopening popular woodland walk
Long-term plans to improve a popular woodland walk at Rickmansworth Aquadrome, such as installing a boardwalk, are set to be reviewed by council officers.
Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst OBE, the Leader of Three Rivers District Council, has requested a new feasibility study into the reopening all or part of the walk.
Cllr Giles-Medhurst said: "In the light of the recent hydrology report and the ongoing long term plans for the Aquadrome, including the feasibility of the boardwalk, I have asked officers to undertake a full review of the Woodland Walk to reassess the feasibility of reopening all or part of it, on an interim basis, and any remedial measures that may be required to enable this to occur including likely costs and assessments on health and safety.”
A recent hydrological study has indicated that in the future the likelihood and frequency of flooding will be increasing across the Aquadrome. Plans and designs for any future pathway will now need to accommodate and withstand a more regular and significant pattern of flooding.
The council and its specialist contractor, RSK, are currently developing a site wide Masterplan, detailed designs relating to landscaping, hydrology, tree and vegetation management and visitor experience and connectivity. This work will give the council clear specifications, costings and planned programmes, which will inform the Delivery Phase funding application of about £5m to The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The full hydrology report can be found on the council’s Aquadrome Data Hub and more information on the Rickmansworth Aquadrome project can be found here.
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