Page 16 - link magazine

16 PEATMOC

WEST SWINDON'S

LAKE FILLS UP
A remarkable physical feature there are different levels and
has taken shape in West Swindon gradients and in the lake several
over the last year. After months islands will provide nesting
of excavation which involved the grounds for waterfowl."
removal of 115,000 cubic metres Peatmoore Lagoon is slowly
of clay and the sculpturing of an being surrounded by develop-
underwater fish habitat, a ten ment and will soon become an
acre lake has been created which urban feature. However, the
will become the focal point of a copse after which it is named, has
wide range of activity in years to ancient connections which will
come. be preserved. Peatmoor Copse,
Paul Jolliffe, Landscape Archi- at the western end of the lake at
tect at Thamesdown Council's the top of Nine Elms, is thought
Arts and Recreation Department, to be the remnant of the once
explained why a lake has been enormous Bradon Forest which
made. "It is firstly an engineering disappeared centuries ago.
project which have involved Because of a different sub-terrain
engineers, landscape architects, rock structure, unusual plants
planners and ecologists working have established themselves on
together," said Paul. the wet, marshy ground. The
"The low lying land to the copse will only be accessible for
north of Shaw and to the west of educational study and over the
Peatmoor Copse had two streams last fifteen months a ditch has
converging into it. With all the been dug and new trees planted
house and road construction, to control entry.
there was a need to create a flood The engineering work on the
storage area to cope with the lake has all but finished. The
increased storm rainwater run- next five years will see the gradual
off. Because the ground is in the provision of a range of facilities
middle of a built-up area it was for different age groups and inter-
an opportunity to create positive ests. Depending on the quality of
feature, rather than leave a the water fish will be introduced
marshy depression which would later this year, from the Council's
flood every time it rained hard. own exclusive supply at Coate
Water Country Park. Fishing
10 million A haven for wildlife within
gallons of water platforms will be constructed
with special attention being West Swindon's houses
Borough Council engineers given to the needs of the dis-
have calculated that the lake will abled. by Paul Jolliffe
contain 10 million gallons of Peatmoor Lagoon will become a Native trees and shrubs will
water with capacity rising to 13 16,000 trees and shrubs wildlife haven unlike any other clothe parts of the islands and
million gallons after heavy rain- "We are planning to plant in West Swindon with its com- banksides providing food and
fall. In storms that take place 16,000 trees and shrubs this year bination of water and woodland. shelter. Planting Willows, Alders,
once every ten years the water and more in 1989," said Paul The dense and marshy Peat- Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Dogrose
level will rise by two and a half Jolliffe. "A network of footpaths moor Copse is already home for and other woodland species is
feet, and once every 150 years it will provide walkers with a pleas- a range of birds and mammals. not only ecologically sound, but
will increase by 4 feet. To cope ant circuit of just under a mile. For example, on a recent walk will make the Lagoon very attrac-
with flood water, a dam has been On the north side there will be a overwintering flocks of Restarts tive. Reeds and flag iris will
built at the eastern end. There is childrens play area away from were feeding on the hawthorn flourish around the water's edge
a control structure within it which the waters edge, but this will not berries and fox holes were re- and yellow and white water lillies
is stepped to allow greater be built for a couple of years. vealed by the dying vegetation. may bloom further out in deeper
amounts of water to flow out as There is already provision for a The Lagoon itself has already water.
the lake rises. model boating area which is attracted a large flock of gulls Beneath the surface, out of
"The average depth of the lake gravelled underwater to prevent and in future years you can expect sight, fish will cruise. Roach,
is four and a half feet. I might plants fouling propellers. Swim- to see birds like Mallards, Tench, Bream and Carp will tempt
seem surprising, but it is possible ming will definitely be dis- Moorhens, Coots and Great anglers but it will be a few years
to drain it by opening the sluice couraged. And of course on the Crested Grebes throughout the before this activity can be pursued
gate in the dam," said Paul. "If north eastern shore the Chinese year. Winter may attract visitors until sufficient fish stocks build
for some reason this had to take restaurant is to be built and we like the Black and Little Tern, up.
place or if the lake dries up, there will be landscaping the water usually associated with the sea Last year being European Year
are special 'fish rescue hollows' frontage sympathetically. but attracted by the gravel beds of the Environment has seen the
which are 8 feet deep to allow Nineteen eighty seven could on the islands whilst Summer major construction of the Lagoon.
fish to hide until conditions be dubbed the year of the flood visitors such as the Reed and Your help is required to look
improve. at Peatmoor Lagoon. Over the Willow Warbler, Blackcap and after this attractive environment
"We have worked closely with next five years, all its attractions Chiffchaff will shelter in the for years to come, be it getting
biologists, ecologists and fish and features will be planted or dense reed cover and woody involved with practical conserva-
breeding experts to create the built. However, this is barely the vegetation. Skimming over the tion tasks, or equally important,
right environment for a variety beginning in the creation of a surface will be the 'jets' of the being respectful of the wildlife in
of plants and creatures above new environment and as such the air, Swallows, Swifts and House the area.
and below the waterline, as well lake will be constantly changing, Martins feeding on the rich insect
as the human users. Underwater always evolving. life found over water.