Thursday 4 August 2011

Palmer Park flood alleviation works

As you may have seen, Palmer Park along the Wokingham Road looks like a building site at the moment. Below is some detail on what is going on. I have queried exactly which tree is going to be lost and am waiting for a response.

"Thames Water Utilities Ltd has begun flood alleviation works along the Wokingham Road. In order to facilitate these works they have erected a compound within Palmer Park (as attached plan).

The works are to take place in two phases, as follows:

Phase 1) Highway works.
Underway:
Excavation of an area of Wokingham Road and the laying of required pipe work.
Works are being monitored by Highways (James Penman).

Phase 2) Palmer Park works.
6th September onwards:
Installation of flood alleviation storage pipes to open grass area within the children’s play area (as shown on attached plan).
Once works have been completed the grass surface of the park will be fully reinstated by Thames Water, with only a manhole cover being visible to park users.
The work has been timed to avoid peak use of the children’s play area over the summer holidays and will conclude on 4th December.

The work will require the removal of a semi-mature lime tree on the boundary of Palmer Parks play area, as it is directly in the line of the pipe to be installed. Thames Water has agreed to plant two new trees on site to compensate for this loss. One of these will be planted as close as possible to the tree to be removed and the second tree will be planted to the east of the main driveway to Palmer Park in order to complete an established avenue of trees.

Thames Water will have staff on site 24 hours a day to ensure the security of the site and will erect suitable fencing to ensure public safety around all areas of work.

The site compound will remain until the completion of the works in December. Thames Water has entered into an agreement with the Council’s Valuation Team for the use of the land. A photographic survey was conducted prior to the use of the land and Thames Water will be required to reinstate any damage at the end of the works to the satisfaction of the Parks Manager.

Public consultation:
Thames Water wrote to all neighbouring properties and invited residents to an open afternoon/evening on the 19th July at Palmer Park library. At this meeting detailed plans were discussed with the residents."

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