Major works at West Midlands reservoirs

2021-04-22 -

THE Canal & River Trust has launched a £1.6 million programme of improvements to the reservoirs at Earlswood in Warwickshire.

Built in the early 19th century to supply water to the Stratford Canal, the lakes at Earlswood consist of three reservoirs: Terry’s Pool, Windmill Pool and Engine Pool.

Together the 200-year-old reservoirs occupy 70 acres and are popular with people from across the West Midlands for walking, fishing and sailing.

Required to ensure the reservoirs are compliant with reservoir legislation, the works will involve improvements to the reservoirs, the canal feeder channel and the River Blythe. They are expected to be completed by early November, but it’s likely the water levels can be allowed to refill and so some of the roads and footpaths will reopen a little earlier.

To allow the trust and its engineering contractor Kier to safely access the reservoirs, water levels have been temporarily lowered by 1m in Terry’s Pool, and up to 2.5m in the Engine Pool and Windmill Pool.

John Ward, the trust’s head of project delivery, explained: “From time to time we need to carry out repairs and maintenance to our reservoirs.

“The reservoirs at Earlswood are 200 years old, and these statutory works are necessary by law, under the Reservoirs Act.

“It is important that the trust does this work so people can continue to use and enjoy the lakes and waterways.”

Apologising for any inconvenience caused to residents, the sailing club, angling club and other visitors, Mr Ward added: “We know how important Earlswood Lakes are to local people, for wildlife, recreation and for health and well-being. Our aim is to complete the works as efficiently and safely as possible, minimising disruption to people and wildlife.

“Canal & River Trust ecologists have been involved in the planning of the works to ensure the impact on wildlife and the environment is minimised.”

The works involve:

• Raising and improving the core of the main dam along Valley Road to improve its resilience during flood events.

• Installing new drainage and a collector drain within the embankment of the main dam to help drain rainwater away from the embankment.

• Repairing erosion damage along the dams in Engine and Windmill Pools, and the toe of the dam in the River Blythe.

• Raising the footpath along the top of the River Blythe embankment at Windmill Pool to ensure a uniform level with no low spots over which water could spill.

• Fitting a trash screen to the River Blythe Culvert to improve water flow during floods and enable the removal of litter and debris.

• Creating new permanent access areas to allow maintenance and repair workers better access to the reservoir. These areas will be at the base of the Windmill Pool and Engine Pool dams, as well as near the River Blythe channel outlet on Windmill Pool dam.

• Channel de-silting along the canal feeder channel.

• Strengthening the embankment between the canal feeder channel and Engine Pool.

For more information, visit the website https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/earlswoodlakes-repairs

Call the Canal & River Trust on 03030 404040, or you can email enquiries. westmidlands@ canalrivertrust. org. uk. Find them on Twitter at: @CRTWestMidlands

Temporary closures:

• Wood Lane Car Park.

• Windmill Pool footpath on the right bank down from Valley Road.

• Engine Pool footpath from Valley Road to Malthouse Lane Park, including Wood Lane footpath of Engine Pool.

• The causeway road on Malthouse Lane between Engine and Windmill Pools.

• Valley Road between the junction at Wood Lane and the B4102 Shutt Lane junction ( reopening by August 20).

• The Sailing Club on Windmill Pool.

• Angling on Terry’s, Engine and Windmill Pools.

Remaining open:

• The footpaths around Terry’s Pool (except where it runs between Engine and Terry’s pools).

• Engine Pool footpath alongside Malthouse Lane.

• Windmill Pool footpath alongside Malthouse Lane.