Bad weather last week meant that contractors were not able to get on site for half of the week. Work is impossible when there is standing water, due to the sticky nature of the clay. Tracked earth working vehicles have now replaced the large rubber tyred vehicles.

Earthworks will continue over the next couple of weeks, in order to catch up the time lost due to the weather. This involves creation of the final ditches, berms and the viewing mound.

Construction of sluices has begun with work starting on the Winterbourne Stream sluice, as well as the insertion of a number of pipes which connect the system. Eventually, water will flow through the reedbed from a spring within the woodlands through to the water meadow ditches to the south east of the site. The sluices will be used to control this flow and regulate the water depth, as well as facilitate drainage of particular parts of the reedbed for maintenance purposes.

Although the majority of the earth works will be complete shortly, it is likely that the security fencing will remain throughout the winter, in order to allow the mounds to settle and to protect the public from the dangers of the construction area. Work will continue in the spring to construct the footpaths, pond dipping platform and the bridge, which are core elements of the design.

South Street Bonfire Celebrations will take place on this site on 5th November and we are working with the organisers to ensure that there is a suitable area for the fire to be located within a few metres of their usual position.

Herons have already been seen fishing in the ditches.

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