COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION AND CLLRS CALL FOR THAMES WATER TO ‘PLAY ITS PART’ ON ‘PRECIOUS’ NEW RIVER

Resident’s in Bounds Green walking along the picturesque banks of the New River off Myddleton Road, N22 might have been a little surprised last night to see a team off Cllrs and residents trimming hedges, picking up litter and taking photos of the crumbling riverbank.

The clear-up - joint supported by Haringey and Enfield Councils – was masterminded by Caroline Simpson, Chair of the Bowes Park Community Association (BPCA) which covers the Bowes Park Area across the two Boroughs.

This beautiful stretch of the New River has been neglected by Thames Water who have allowed the banks to crumble into the waterway in places making the pathway very dangerous - in other spots the bank is literally splitting in two.

The two local Labour Councillors have written to Thames Water asking for urgent action.

Cllr Matt Cooke said:

“Tonight’s work by the association shows local people care dearly for this incredibly beautiful stretch of land and are willing to self-police it; collecting rubbish, keeping pathways accessible and trimming hedges.”

Cllr Ali Demirci said: “The public is fulfilling its side of the bargain by treating the area with respect and tending it and now its time for Thames Water to do its bit by repairing these dangerous stretches of bank”

Caroline Simpson, Chair of the BPCA said:

“The New River Path is a wonderful local resource and I walk the stretch to Palmers Green at least twice a week. I am saddened by the lack of maintenance of part of the path, especially its entrances from any of the local roads”

Cllr Cooke continued:

“The New River is one of North London’s most precious resources and its benefit to the area is incalculable. In just a few years we will celebrate the 400^th anniversary of the building of the oldest sections, but we need repairs to the Bounds Green area now, we are writing to Thames Water asking them to act.”

Notes:

·        The attached picture shows Cllrs Matt Cooke and Ali Demirci with Caroline Simpson and other members of the Bowes Park Community Association on the banks of the New River beside Myddleton Road with tools lent from Enfield and Haringey Councils

·        The secondary picture shows damage to the New Rivers banks where sections of Bank reinforcements have decayed allowing the bank itself to collapse in to the water.

·        The New River is a man-made waterway opened in 1613 to supply London with fresh drinking water taken from the River Lee  It starts between Ware and Hertford in Hertfordshire and today travels 20 miles (32 km) down to Sadler’s Wells.

·        The design and construction of the New River is often attributed solely to Sir Hugh Myddelton. However, an Edmund Colthurst first proposed the idea in 1602, obtaining a charter from King James I in 1604 to carry it out.