Broadwater Path opens the way to funding
Weybridge residents and visitors alike are enjoying lakeside walks along Broadwater Path, between Grenside Road and Cowey Sale. Its dedication as a public footpath and its new crushed stone surface give year round access to the lakeside – a beautful, tranquil, historic local feature, rich with wildlife.
What many don’t know is that the path is essential for the future of the lake itself. Without formal public access, the lake would not qualify for the public funding needed to stop it silting up. Broadwater is a centuries old man made lake, which requires maintenance.
Without dredging, the lake silts and becomes marshland, growing rushes then self-seeded trees. In the 14 years that residents (including PPDRA) pressed for the path, silting got worse at the Greenlands Road end. The middle length also silted badly, until residents raised funds to dredge.
Last year Elmbridge BC contributed a CIL grant, which helped fund some urgent dredging. The Broadwater Conservation Society is now seeking public funding from national sources, and wider local support.
This historic lake is an important part of local heritage. So PPDRA proposes to become affiliated to the Broadwater Conservation Society. To be voted on at our AGM on 13 September.
Broadwater Lake and Path, August 2018
I am all for dredging the Lake, although I have lived alongside it for more than forty years and it has never dried up – even in the worst droughts. The fact that it continually and gently flows is demonstrated by the fact that we have very few mosquitos. What dismays me is the idea that you want to remove the fallen trees. We have amazing wildlife in and around the lake and if the trees are removed the birds and wildfowl will have nowhere to perch, preen and nest. Imagine no herons or kingfishers or cormorants. We are in danger of losing them if trees are removed. Besides, they give character to the lake. I dread the thought of it becoming something like a municipal pond!