Archive - Meadows Management

An archive of all previous updates from the Greenspace Officer

2025

October 2025

Disabled access gate - Following a site meeting with the contractor funding should be being pursued, but it will take time. I will ensure that it doesn’t get overlooked.

Scrub Management - The work was completed on the main meadow in October.  Following Chester Zoo rejecting the trees (for use as brash), various options for next year will be looked at that will make it easier and more efficient for the contractors to operate and so get more done in the allotted time.  One possibility is chipping in the location of the felling so we don’t end up with lots of scrub lying about.

On Elizabeth Crescent the works were also completed on restructuring the bramble (which is working really well). They have also taken out a small patch of mature gorse as it was encroaching into the grassed pathway. Gorse coppices well but is slow to regenerate. It will be allowed to regenerate but will also allow us to keep a wider path.

Riverside gates – this has been reported and is sitting with the infrastructure officer for action.  The erosion to the path (opposite Deva Terrace) has also been noted and flagged for repair.

August 2025

The ‘cut and collect’ has now been completed. They've done a good job!

Disabled access gates – A follow up meeting between the Greenspace Officer, contractors and the Council asset officer took place. This is being costed up and then funding will need to be sought.  It appears that Radar gates are the best option rather than altering the existing gates.  It may be some time before the money is found, but I will update when more is known.

The riverside gate damage has also been reported to the Asset Officer for action.  Additionally there is some damage to the pathway adjacent to where people access for their dogs. This has also been reported and is with the Asset Officer for action.

April 2025

Severn Trent finished the works on site in April which required ad hoc path closures of the riverside path for public safety, whilst they brought in equipment.

Towards the end of the period pathwork repairs have been done. The Heras security fencing has been left up up to allow time for the grass to reinstate and bind the surface. These will be removed once it is felt that the surface has bound sufficiently to allow open access again.

2024

October 2024

Severn Trent -  Will be on site from 24th October, and the crane for the final pump will be working on site the day after (Friday).
Dragonfly survey - As part of their dissertation, students from Chester Uni will be on site conducting a survey next week (w/c 28th October)
Fallen Tree -  The tree that fell by the Riverside entrance is clear of the path.  The contractors will be coming back to finish the job, they are awaiting specialist equipment so they can remove the branches from the river.  They will be leaving the largest of the trunk on site for wildlife/us and taking the smaller stuff.  The bird box is now with Julie Savory.
Scrub removal - The contractors will attend next week (w/c 28 Oct) weather permitting.
Appleyards - Welsh Water has now removed the herras fencing, repaired the ground damage as instructed and the site is now accessible.  My watching brief is over! (Steph)

July 2024

Mowing - The new contractors are working well, some minor adjustments are necessary during this settling in period.
Severn Trent - The works are finally concluding over the next month or so.  The compound and associated infrastructure will gradually be removed and the site restored. The Greenspace Ranger will continue to liaise with ST to ensure the site is left in good condition (12th July 2024)

May 2024

Welsh Water -works upriver - A few people have been asking about this although it's not on "our" Meadows. Welsh Water will be at Appleyards (the fields below) for approximately 10 weeks from 20th May replacing their main pipeline.  Following their departure they will reinstate the ground and make it even.
Update from Severn Trent - The compound has been moved back and the paths re-opened on a temporary basis only; this is to facilitate events/event safety.  The works will continue at this time but once events are finished, the compound will need to be extended and paths closed.  The requisite footpath closures remain in place.  There will be reinstatement works when the project is finished. (30th May 2024)

February 2024

Update from Severn Trent - Costain plan to remobilise on the Meadows this week. They will be completing the site which will include putting fencing and signage up to keep everyone safe.  The following week they will look at setting up the crane pad, but this is weather permitted. (6th February 2024)
Update - 6th February 2024 - I have contractors on site over the next couple of days doing the scrub removal.  They are doing the annual scrub removal under the Stewardship agreement.  This is the last year of the agreement so I will be applying at the end of the year for continuance but following changes to grant criteria and priorities nothing is guaranteed.  There will be no scrub removal of riverside trees as the licence has expired.  I have applied for a new licence and will be meeting with the relevant Natural England officer in the next couple of months to assess it going forward and looking at options for addressing the bankside erosion.  The Sailing Club have been notified so there will be no works undertaken this season.
The new contractors are working well, some minor adjustments are necessary during this settling in period.

2023

November 2023

Severn Trent – the compound is done and the site will go largely quiet until the next phase.  Occasional vehicles will be on site but they will park in the compound. 

The compound will be removed at the end of the project and reinstated.

Welsh Water – they have now repaired the blown manhole and repaired the immediate surrounds…I will be having further discussions with WW as I believe the repairs need to extend further along the pathways where the force of the water has removed the top dressing.

Bottoms Lane – This is currently being assessed by our Asset team.

Scrub removal - I haven’t yet booked the scrub removal and am looking into options (see 6th Feb 2024 update). 

October 2023​

Severn Trent Works - Eel screens installaton -Costain (the contractors for the Severn Trent works), will begin the works for the compound by the Water Mound on Monday 6 November.  Site traffic will then be around for approx 4 weeks whilst this goes on, then there will be a lull until February.  There will be some vehicles throughout the period but they will utilise the compound for parking.

May 2023

Mobility Access to The Meadows - The council is in consultation with a number of organisations looking to improve access for those with mobility issues across the borough.  This is in the early stages at the moment but the Meadows is included in this.  I have highlighted to those leading the project that any access improvements will be most welcome but their design must be both practical for the user and visually sensitive to the area. 

April  & May 2023 - Severn Trent Works

Borehole works - Costain (working on behalf of Severn Trent) was on site from Monday 24 April to start the trial boreholes regarding installation of the eel screen (see below). The first two boreholes will hopefully be completed in four days, with the possibility of a further borehole in May, depending on the results of the first two.

This is the first phase of the project and there will be some further preliminary works later in the year with final installation next year. Confirmation of dates and more information wil be provided when known.

Update (10th May 2023)

The trial boreholes are now complete.  Divers will be on site to conduct the underwater surveys over the next week or so, with some de-silting activity planned soon (dates to be confirmed).  These will all be complete by the end of May and will not interfere with any of the events.

PRoW closure April to May 2023 - The project is to install eel screens at the Boughton river intake to upgrade the existing screening at the site as part of The Eels Regulations 2009. Works involve installation of the new screens and the associated MEICA* equipment, as well as the removal of the existing bandscreen. A pre-condition survey will be carried out and the grounds and paths will be fully reinstated to existing condition following the works. Vehicles expected to be on the meadows during the survey works are: several large vans and up to 3 cars. 

During the works, there will be a requirement for the closure of the riverside Public Right of Way (PRoW) from the gates to the intake at ‘The Mound’. This is essential for contractor and public safety.  Exact dates for closure have yet to be confirmed but are expected to be from mid April to end of May.  The rest of the paths will remain open for public access.

*MEICA = Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Control and Automation

January 2023

Bottoms Lane grey water/smell - Welsh Water have attended the site this morning (24 Jan) following concerns reported of grey water and smells along Bottoms Lane. They believe that due to the recent prolonged wet weather, there has been emergency overflow pumped from the temporary works they have for mains pipe repair.  Note:  These works are significant and will be ongoing for a prolonged period.

 In the meantime, in response top the recent issue, they will put more hay bales in the affected ditches as a temporary measure.  The EA have been notified.

If you have concerns about this matter (or future similar incidents), please contact Welsh Water on 0800 052 0130 or via their website 

2021

Welsh Water works - Update May 2021
Welsh Water has announced that the reinstatement works scheduled for the weekend are now moved to Monday to avoid the forecasted heavy rain. The work will be monitored and inspected by myself and Welsh Water.
A full description of all the works and updates from November 2020 and since February 2021 can be found here.

2019

2019 Updates
Bankside Fencing installed in July 2019
​Fencing was installed on Thursday 11th July 2019 to address bankside erosion. As the bankside is a SSSI and a SAC it requires protection. Small gaps were placed for dogs and access for management. This will also prevent erosion from cattle if grazing takes place next year! A gate was later added for access by events participants when required