Construction Diary
Week eleven - November 28 2004

Most of Heart of Reeds is now complete with all the ditches, ponds, sluices, embankments and the viewing mound built. Work has also finished on spreading topsoil back over much of the design area.
The contractors, Gambles, pulled off the site on 3rd December but will return in the Spring to complete the construction of the footpaths, bridge and pond dipping platform for wheelchair access.

The fence line has been moved inwards to encapsulate the site over the winter to prevent access for three important reasons:
1. For health and safety purposes as the ditches are not yet vegetated leaving the soil loose and therefore unstable.
2. To allow vegetation to grow without being disturbed which will stabilise and bind the top soil and green the whole site.
3. To allow all the mounds and ditch sides to settle.

Drop boards for the sluices have been fitted along with tidal flaps, where necessary, so as to control water levels throughout the site.

Gambles have cleared up their working areas as best as possible but will not be fully restoring the surfaced footpath until they have completed the project in the Spring which will once again include bringing some heavy equipment on site for a time.

Finally, we would like to thank everyone for their patience and Gambles for the sensitive way they have carried out the work. A public opening will take place in the Spring. Return to this site for more information.

Dan Ross, Community Ranger
John Parry, Chairman of the Management Committee

spring 2005 -->