February 2020
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<strong>February</strong> <strong>2020</strong><br />
79<br />
© Richard Arnopp / Background image of River Roding © Geoff Wilkinson<br />
temporarily dam the river to top up or flush<br />
out the Ornamental Water, and this right was<br />
exercised into the 20th century.<br />
The purpose of canalising the River Roding<br />
may well have been to mitigate the flood<br />
risk upstream from the park. In 1768 a stone<br />
bridge, planned in 1752, had been built at<br />
Woodford. Almost immediately this was<br />
destroyed by floods and had to be rebuilt<br />
in 1771. Further canalisation of the river has<br />
taken place over the years, most recently in<br />
connection with construction of the Barking<br />
Relief Road.<br />
As the Friends of Wanstead Parklands have<br />
explained in previous articles, discussions are<br />
being held with the Environment Agency to<br />
allow winter pumping from the River Roding<br />
into the Ornamental Water. However, as well<br />
as demonstrating the potential for winter<br />
spate pumping to manage lakes levels,<br />
the recent flood also fits into the evolving<br />
strategy of creating planned overflow areas to<br />
reduce potential flood risk for residents and<br />
businesses along the river.<br />
For more information on Wanstead<br />
Park and to join or donate to the<br />
Friends of Wanstead Parklands, visit<br />
wansteadpark.org.uk or email<br />
wansteadpark.org.uk@gmail.com<br />
Please mention the Wanstead Village Directory when responding to adverts
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