A petition to fix the ponds project in Central Park has attracted over 1,250 signatures after just three weeks, but the aim is to reach 2,500 by the end of August.
Petition organiser, Amanda Pannell, said that the ponds project has caused disruption for park users for almost two years.
She added:
“Vast areas of the park are fenced off and unusable, standing water is stagnant and starting to smell, and the scheme which was supposed to solve flooding has simply created new flooding in other parts of the park.
The Plymouth Chronicle office is located in Peverell, just a short walk away from the Ponds Project and our team have documented the progress over the last year, remarking on the installation of the benches and the appearance of grasses and wildflowers.
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In a summer update on the ponds project web page Plymouth County Council outlined the issue. In a press release they said:
“We know that the construction of the Central Park Ponds has gone on for too long.
We absolutely share residents’ frustration and we’re sorry that the project has not finished as quickly as anyone would have liked.
As we said in our previous update, we were waiting for dry weather to get our contractors back on site to finish the planting and get that area of the park looking green again.
Sadly, when the better weather did eventually come, various operational issues, including the availability of machinery and subcontractors, meant further delays.
The good news is that following robust discussion, we have had assurances that work will resume by the end of the month and that the less colourful areas of the site will begin to look a little more vibrant before the summer is out.”
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People are saddened, frustrated and angry and the petition aims to give concerned people a voice, and to try and get some answers.
Amanda Said:
“On August. 1, the council posted on their Facebook page that work was underway to tidy up the site, but this was actually routine maintenance to cut back grass and overgrown paths. There is no detail or clear plan on how, and when the project will be finished.”
“Petitions are a part of the democratic process,”
”and if everyone who has already signed persuaded someone else, we would reach the required number before the final date of August 31. It’s really important the council know how many people are frustrated by the mess.”
Anyone wanting to sign the petition can apply through the council website HERE or email
fixourpark@outlook.com for more ways to sign.
