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Pooling resources to give lake a much-needed makeover

Roding Valley Park Lake has suffered large fish losses in the past, due to poor water quality and algal blooms. But thanks to a joint effort from the Environment Agency, local residents and Epping Forest District Council, the lake has now been given a new lease of life. Brand new fully accessible platforms at Roding lake

Work began on improvements at the fishery in April – with the creation of a brand new, fully-accessible double angling platform, as well as paths for disabled use and gates for wheelchairs.

The next few months will see the creation of a 30m2 marginal reed bed, that is expected to improve water quality, and reduce the number of fish dying from algal-induced kills. The new planting will create habitat for juvenile fish and also provide cover from predatory birds including Canadian geese.

The project has been paid for, in part, by an Essex County Council grant awarded to local resident Bill Mahoney in 2008. Bill entered the Council’s Quality of Life competition, in an attempt to win the money needed to improve the lake – and his GBP10,000 prize money has helped pay for the recent improvements, along with another GBP10,000 from us.

Fisheries officer, Neil Winter, said: 'Roding Valley Lake and its surrounding parkland has been in need of regeneration for a long time, and the local councils, fisheries staff and local anglers have been working hard to improve recreational fishing and local wildlife here. These improvements will go a long way to improve the natural environment at the lake for local residents to enjoy, whether they’re fishing, walking, bird watching or just enjoying a nice family day out.'