Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
New river boundary
Hi, have just moved to the haringay ladder,
next to the 'new river'. Has anyone got any advice
or info about living with it?
Responsibilty for fencing?
Water Board involvement?
Damp or flooding?
Garden issues?
You know, appart from looking good and being one
of the reasons I moved here... Have read the facts
and history but would like to hear residents point
of view.
next to the 'new river'. Has anyone got any advice
or info about living with it?
Responsibilty for fencing?
Water Board involvement?
Damp or flooding?
Garden issues?
You know, appart from looking good and being one
of the reasons I moved here... Have read the facts
and history but would like to hear residents point
of view.
Tags for Forum Posts: Harringay Ladder, new river
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Andrea on
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Hi and welcome to Harringay!
My gardens backs on to the New River also. Fencing is responsibility of Thames Water, who also cut the grass from time to time. No issues with damp or flooding as the level of the river is maintained somewhere. Well, I presume it is as the level goes up and down.
If you're in an 'open area' i.e. public access along banks, I understand from other posts here that there are some problems with litter and unsociable behaviour - especially towards wildlife. If on the other hand, you're along a 'closed' section like me, then the only thing to do is sit back and enjoy the wildlife. My recent list includes coots, moorhens, swans (with cygnets), mallards (with young), tufted ducks, herons, canada geese and the occasional cormorant, as well as terns. Four legged varieties include a couple of foxes.
Only one downside from my point of view are the rats. But this is a problem everywhere, so not sure if they're attracted to the New River, or just around in general.
Anyway, enjoy!
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Permalink Reply by Nicholas on
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Thanks for the feedback! My section is closed but I can see a fox/rat/cat run in the grass along by the river bank. So there is some local traffic. The river bed looks pretty clean and the water weed free - so I am looking forward to a summer of duck watching!
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Permalink Reply by michael456red on
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A great pity some residents do not allow public access to the New River walkway...
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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It is, though I do understand their concerns about opening up their boundaries to unscrutinised night time access. I wonder if there's a solution?
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There are certain sections where public access has been refused on safety grounds. 'My' section is one of them as it's only 50 yards long and runs directly to the railway line. There is no way through to the section with Finsbury Park, unless you walk across the tracks. A huge pedestrian bridge would have to be built for the section to continue.
I'm a bit concerned that some people seem to think residents have private access to enjoy closed sections of the river. This is not the case - there is a whopping concrete fence at the bottom of my garden, so access is prevented for everyone.
Personally, I have no objections to people walking along the banks, but the banks along this section are very narrow and there is no path, unlike other sections, so presume this is another reason it remains closed.
As I said above, my concern is that the wildlife would be disturbed along these narrow banks with public access. The wildlife have as much right to live in peace as us humans.
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Permalink Reply by Mr Growbag on
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I see the basis of the argument about "unscrutinised night time access", but would question whether the little gates which block off access to the banks at present are really going to deter any potential baddies? Gating these areas off just means that crims could hypothetically scout out the back of properties undisturbed...
The River Lea navigation manages to balance pedestrian use with wildlife conservation even in the more built-up areas, so don't see why, with enough willpower and an appropriate system the same could not be achieved with the New River...
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Apart rom Andrea, does anyone else on this forum live directly next to the river?
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Permalink Reply by John D on
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I do. The Hampden Road - to - halfway down Wightman Rd accessible section is directly behind my block of flats
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Permalink Reply by Rachel Warren on
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We live on a closed section of the river on Warham Road. Just after we moved in 12 yrs ago I seem to recall a council petition to open up access to the public along the entire length of the river, but the proposal was thrown out. Can't remember but I think on safety and privacy grounds. The river runs down the entire length of our garden, so for security reasons we were relieved!
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Thanks for the feedback Rachel and everyone, am looking forward to being part of the community
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Permalink Reply by Barbara Kentish on
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Yet there is open access higher up the river, and a public footpath. As well as a footpath from Green Lanes alongside it leading to Seven Sisters Road, and across that and on to the reservoir. Incidentally that footpath skirts Woodberry Down Estate which surely produces more waste than in the park. There is a New River Society which lobbied for that, and which promotes the history of it, etc. I think it was the Friends of Finsbury Park who put the plaque in the photo up. I agree the park bit could be open to the public at least. Footpath and seats facing the river could be a minimum. There's some controversy as to whether it simply flows into the reservoir behind the water castle, or whether it goes into the London Ring Main. Not sure why the ladder part can't be opened up.
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