Plan to open Walthamstow wetlands to public

View of the Marine Engine House, courtesy of DCLG (Click picture for credits)

Story quoted in full from Blackhorse Action Group (See below):

The BBC have announced that Thames Water in conjunction with Hackney, Haringey and Waltham Forest Council are hoping to raise 10 million pounds to open up the Walthamstow reservoirs as a nature reserve and wetlands centre.

The reservoirs are already open to any member of the public willing to trek down Forest Road with a shiny one pound coin to the not exactly signposted entrance across the road from The Ferry Boat Inn.

The four square kilometre site, dubbed Walthamstow Wetlands, and made up of ten reservoirs, would be transformed into an urban nature reserve and wetland centre with a ‘Water and Life’ visitor centre and other facilities.

Olympics Minister Bob Neill and Council leader Chris Robbins visited the largest man made bodies of water in London on Thursday (12 May).

Chris Robbins said: “We have a fantastic natural resource right on our doorstep which provides most of London’s water.

“We want to turn it into a place where people can go to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to unearth a hidden gem that most people don’t realise exists and create a unique nature reserve smack bang in the middle of London to provide a brilliant leisure resource to people living here.”

Visit the London Wildlife Trusts “Walthamstow Reservoirs Project” to read residents views on opening up the sites, the wildlife to be found there and more.

More on the story at the website of the Blackhorse Action Group, whom I thank for the story. Also visit Thames Water's current Walthamstow Reservoir visitors page.