Project to maintain ponds to be expanded

A PROJECT to maintain Greenmore Ponds in Woodcote is set to be expanded.

The parish council has set aside £2,300 for the Woodcote Conservation Group, which it will put towards improving footpaths and signage.

A few years ago, the group laid a stretch of all-weather path and a short flight of steps to improve site accessibility around the muddy site during wet weather for dog-walkers and families.

Now the group wants to increase the length of the all-weather path on the site to improve access further.

This will be carried out by volunteers and the agreed sum for the raw materials for the footpath and signage amendments is expected to cost around £2,300.

The council also approved to contribute towards the drilling of new groundwater monitoring holes.

James Godfrey, a hydrogeological engineer and conservation group member, believes it is necessary to have a robust and permanent network of boreholes at the site to better understand the groundwater situation at the ponds to inform long-term site management.

The group proposes drilling boreholes after losing four at the site due to plant movements.

They would be up to 5m deep and would allow the group to understand whether, as suspected, there are two groundwater bodies in the area, one which feeds the upper pond and another, deeper body that feeds the lower pond.

Quotes for borehole drilling and associated works have not yet been confirmed by the parish council. A local volunteer has offered to carry out the ongoing monitoring for the village once the holes are drilled.

Rachel Sanderson, vice-chair of Woodcote Conservation Group, said: “This demonstrates the parish council’s commitment to the green spaces and the environment we have in the village and that’s really heartwarming.”