Why is work needed on Hampstead Heath dams?
Download the leaflet 'Hampstead Heath Dams - Why
work is needed' (April 2012)
Hampstead Heath is fortunate in having about 30 beautiful and
much-loved ponds. Although they look natural, most are formed by
dams which are up to 300 years old.
Work is necessary to ensure that in major storms while
dams may still overtop, they do not break, causing extensive
flooding. It is necessary to save lives and protect property.
Without change, people’s lives are at risk.
The Heath dams, while structurally sound, are inadequate to cope
even with a flood that occurs once in every 25 years, but which
could arrive tomorrow or the day after. Such a flood, whist rare,
would be nevertheless catastrophic, and could have severe
repercussions for local people.
A Hampstead Heath dam failed during a rain storm that skirted
the Heath in 1975. If that storm had been centred on the Heath, the
consequences would have been even more severe. It is likely that
more dams would have collapsed, with more severe flooding in
surrounding built-up residential areas.
The data behind this necessary work is extensive and has been
made public for all to see and examine. Safety standards are set
nationally, determined by legislation and approved by central
government and, barring new legislation, there is no option but to
conform to these standards. How we comply with the legislation
without compromising the principles of the 1871 Hampstead Heath Act
is what we must now decide.
Extent of the work
Some work is essential on Hampstead Heath dams.
What we must now determine is the extent of that work,
its impact on the Heath and its detailed design. That process will
require extensive consultation and discussion with representatives
of all users. At present there are no detailed designs.
The community will be fully consulted as these are formulated. We
need to work together in order to safeguard the dams and protect
lives, while at the same time protecting and enhancing the Heath’s
landscape, nature conservation and recreational interest.
We must make the best of the necessary work and seize the
opportunities that it presents.
Principles and opportunities
The impact on the Heath will be as formal as necessary and as
informal as possible.
Although the work will involve major engineering, reconciling
how the work blends with Heath aesthetics will be led by landscape
architects. Dam engineers will provide the essential elements to
ensure safety.
The principles of the 1871 Hampstead Heath Act, to preserve as
far as may be the natural aspect of the Heath, will be at the
heart of the scheme; a key aspect will be to minimise as far as
possible the visual impact on the Heath.
The absolute bare minimum objective is that the scheme will have
a long-term neutral effect on Heath wildlife.
With imagination and collaborative thinking we believe that
there will be substantial long-term wildlife gains through creation
of new habitats and opportunities for key species.
We will put in place measures to improve water quality and
strive to meet the Water Bathing Directives.
We will take this opportunity to enhance existing facilities for
pond users and Heath visitors.
We will make use of educational opportunities that the project
presents.
The implementation of the work will of course be difficult, but
we will carry it out as sensitively as possible, in liaison with
Heath users and local residents, to ensure minimum disruption to
Heath life.
We will investigate opportunities to ‘win’ materials from the
Heath to strengthen existing dams, creating new habitats for
wildlife and reducing traffic movements.
The City of London and local groups need to work together with
consultants and contractors to protect the integrity of the Heath
and to make improvements for visitors.
Future generations must be safe from the threat of flooding and
be able to admire what this generation managed to achieve for the
Hampstead Heath landscape, wildlife and recreation through the
opportunities presented by this major work.
December 2011