Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Sick Rivers: the Lea and Moselle

A video by @TheoJThomas of the damage done by pollution to the Lea and Moselle, taken at Markfield Park last October.

It was raining. And all the pollution was being washed down the Moselle River and Stonebridge Brook into the River Lea at Markfield Park in Tottenham. It was disgusting and you could see the damage being done in front of you. It's not just when it rains this happens, but all the time. The rain increases the volume making it easier to see.

Tags for Forum Posts: lea, misconnected drains, moselle, pollution, river lea

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Permalink Reply by vaneska on January 31, 2013 at 22:51

Copied from the Hornsey Historical Society website:

"Haringey's Hidden Streams Revealed by Albert Pinching and David Dell (2005)
Retraces the routes of Haringey's several natural streams which once flowed in the open from the "northern heights" of Highgate and Muswell Hill but are mainly now underground. Surviving evidence of their original routes is described in a narrative embellished by almost 100 illustrations including early prints and maps, past and present photos and historical references. (Reprinted 2008)
HHS ISBN 0 905794 35 4 £12.00 + £2.00 p&p"

I have this book, I love it and I think it answers your questions.

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on February 4, 2013 at 16:39

I'm wrong and owe Theo Thomas and Hol members an apology.

Chris Protz, local historian emailed to tell me that the main Moselle Brook flows south from Scotland Green. She says that the stream under Carbuncle Passage which flowed eastward into Pymmes Brook has dried up. Chris thinks that in any case it might have been a man made ditch. (It used to be called "Garbell Ditch"). Chris also says that in Tudor times it was also known as "the Town Sewer".

Thanks, Vaneska. I shall now take your advice and read the book by Albert Pinching and David Dell!

(P.S. The stream drying up does not affect the award of Freedom of Carbuncle Passage)