Beauty spot’s ‘ key role’ in

More than 50 per cent of Ferry Meadows Country Park was underwater at times this winter which helped to protect the city

Beauty spot Nene Park played a vital sponge- type role during weeks of rain by soaking up water that would have flowed into the city centre, it has been revealed.

The expansive scenic area to the west of Peterborough has been called on numerous times this winter to help safeguard the city centre from flooding.

When the park was designed in the 1980s as part of the city’s growth, the Peterborough Development Corporation intended it to not only meet the recreational needs of residents and visitors, but also store floodwater to protect properties downstream on the River Nene.

This aim was well and truly hit this winter, with the 223 hectares beauty spot Ferry Meadows Country Park at times being up to 55 per cent under water - up from its normal figure of 15 per cent.

This equates to an extra 87 hectares ( 87,000 sq m) of the site under water - roughly about the size of Posh’s London Road pitch 11 times over.

James McCulloch, the trust’s chief executive, said: “Nene Park is a great example of working with nature to help ease some of the pressures on those coping with major flood events.

“This deliberate flooding of the meadows also benefits overwintering birds, so these wetlands are vital for wildlife and can play a key role in managing flood water.”

However, despite the flooding experienced this winter, Nene Park has remained open for business for all but the worst of spells of wet weather.

This is thanks to a flood-savvy layout, which keeps the site’s facilities away from the areas likely to find themselves at times underwater, as well as such measures as having its buildings on stilts.

Landscape manager for Nene Park Trust Clare Freeman said: “I find it amazing. We don’t often congratulate planners, but I just think the planners in the ‘ 80s got the park so tremendously right.”

Ms Freeman said the site acts as a “sponge” for Peterborough, soaking up excess water heading towards the city centre.

Water is allowed to spill over onto the floodplains, before slowly making its way downstream.

Of the site, she said: “It’s absolutely superb. I think the city should be proud of it.”

She added: “It’s a real jewel in the crown of Peterborough.”

The Environment Agency also tipped its cap to the part Nene Park plays in the city’s flood defences.

A spokes man said: “We acknowledge that Ferry Meadows has the capacity to store additional water and this winter more than half of the park was under water.

“That was because there was substantial rain falling on to already saturated ground and high rivers. Thankfully, there was minimal flooding to property in Peterborough.”

Cllr Peter Hiller, cabinet member for housing, neighbourhoods and planning at Peterborough City Council, said the forethought practised by the Peterborough Development Corporation in the 1980s is still in effect today.

The council became took on a greater role in 2011 for assessing and managing local flood risk.

He said: “As a responsible flooding authority, we have flooding issues in the foremost of our minds when we look at any new development.”

Agraphic showing the extent of the flooding.

The watersports centre and cafeteria area which were built on raised platforms