News Archive
2024 Updates
October 2024
Severn Trent
Will be on site from 24th October, and the crane for the final pump will be working on site the day after (Friday).
Dragonfly survey
As part of their dissertation, students from Chester Uni will be on site conducting a survey next week (w/c 28th October)
Fallen Tree
The tree that fell by the Riverside entrance is clear of the path. The contractors will be coming back to finish the job, they are awaiting specialist equipment so they can remove the branches from the river. They will be leaving the largest of the trunk on site for wildlife/us and taking the smaller stuff. The bird box is now with Julie Savory.
Scrub removal
The contractors will attend next week (w/c 28 Oct) weather permitting.
Appleyards
Welsh Water has now removed the herras fencing, repaired the ground damage as instructed and the site is now accessible. My watching brief is over! (Steph)
July 2024
Mowing
The new contractors are working well, some minor adjustments are necessary during this settling in period.
Severn Trent
The works are finally concluding over the next month or so. The compound and associated infrastructure will gradually be removed and the site restored. The Greenspace Ranger will continue to liaise with ST to ensure the site is left in good condition (12th July 2024)
May 2024
Welsh Water -works upriver
A few people have been asking about this although it's not on "our" Meadows. Welsh Water will be at Appleyards (the fields below) for approximately 10 weeks from 20th May replacing their main pipeline. Following their departure they will reinstate the ground and make it even.
May 2024
Update from Severn Trent
The compound has been moved back and the paths re-opened on a temporary basis only; this is to facilitate events/event safety. The works will continue at this time but once events are finished, the compound will need to be extended and paths closed. The requisite footpath closures remain in place. There will be reinstatement works when the project is finished. (30th May 2024)
February 2024
Update from Severn Trent
Costain plan to remobilise on the Meadows this week. They will be completing the site which will include putting fencing and signage up to keep everyone safe.
The following week they will look at setting up the crane pad, but this is weather permitted. (6th February 2024)
From Greenspace Officer Stephanie Hefferan
Update - 6th February 2024
I have contractors on site over the next couple of days doing the scrub removal. They are doing the annual scrub removal under the Stewardship agreement. This is the last year of the agreement so I will be applying at the end of the year for continuance but following changes to grant criteria and priorities nothing is guaranteed.
There will be no scrub removal of riverside trees as the licence has expired. I have applied for a new licence and will be meeting with the relevant Natural England officer in the next couple of months to assess it going forward and looking at options for addressing the bankside erosion. The Sailing Club have been notified so there will be no works undertaken this season.
2023 Updates
November 2023
Severn Trent – the compound is done and the site will go largely quiet until the next phase. Occasional vehicles will be on site but they will park in the compound.
The compound will be removed at the end of the project and reinstated.
Welsh Water – they have now repaired the blown manhole and repaired the immediate surrounds…I will be having further discussions with WW as I believe the repairs need to extend further along the pathways where the force of the water has removed the top dressing.
Bottoms Lane – This is currently being assessed by our Asset team.
Scrub removal - I haven’t yet booked the scrub removal and am looking into options (see 6th Feb 2024 update).
October 2023
Severn Trent Works - Eel screens installaton
Costain (the contractors for the Severn Trent works), will begin the works for the compound by the Water Mound on Monday 6 November. Site traffic will then be around for approx 4 weeks whilst this goes on, then there will be a lull until February. There will be some vehicles throughout the period but they will utilise the compound for parking.
May 2023
Mobility Access to The Meadows - The council is in consultation with a number of organisations looking to improve access for those with mobility issues across the borough. This is in the early stages at the moment but the Meadows is included in this. I have highlighted to those leading the project that any access improvements will be most welcome but their design must be both practical for the user and visually sensitive to the area.
April & May 2023
Severn Trent Works
Borehole works - Costain (working on behalf of Severn Trent) was on site from Monday 24 April to start the trial boreholes regarding installation of the eel screen (see below). The first two boreholes will hopefully be completed in four days, with the possibility of a further borehole in May, depending on the results of the first two.
This is the first phase of the project and there will be some further preliminary works later in the year with final installation next year. Confirmation of dates and more information wil be provided when known.
Update (10th May 2023)
The trial boreholes are now complete. Divers will be on site to conduct the underwater surveys over the next week or so, with some de-silting activity planned soon (dates to be confirmed). These will all be complete by the end of May and will not interfere with any of the events.
PRoW closure April to May 2023 - The project is to install eel screens at the Boughton river intake to upgrade the existing screening at the site as part of The Eels Regulations 2009. Works involve installation of the new screens and the associated MEICA* equipment, as well as the removal of the existing bandscreen. A pre-condition survey will be carried out and the grounds and paths will be fully reinstated to existing condition following the works. Vehicles expected to be on the meadows during the survey works are: several large vans and up to 3 cars.
During the works, there will be a requirement for the closure of the riverside Public Right of Way (PRoW) from the gates to the intake at ‘The Mound’. This is essential for contractor and public safety. Exact dates for closure have yet to be confirmed but are expected to be from mid April to end of May. The rest of the paths will remain open for public access.
*MEICA = Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Control and Automation
January 2023
Bottoms Lane grey water/smell - Welsh Water have attended the site this morning (24 Jan) following concerns reported of grey water and smells along Bottoms Lane. They believe that due to the recent prolonged wet weather, there has been emergency overflow pumped from the temporary works they have for mains pipe repair. Note: These works are significant and will be ongoing for a prolonged period.
In the meantime, in response top the recent issue, they will put more hay bales in the affected ditches as a temporary measure. The EA have been notified.
If you have concerns about this matter (or future similar incidents), please contact Welsh Water on 0800 052 0130 or via their website
2022 Updates
December 2022
Pathworks on Bottoms Lane - There have been water run-off issues with the path surface (see March 2022 below) which have been reported to the Asset Team. Awaiting responses for remedial action but depends upon budgets.
October 2022
Ditch work scrub removal - This work was booked in October 2022 and now waiting for a start date. Again we will be working to no more than one-third of the overall site.
September 2022
Severn Trent Works -Severn Trent works to replace the pump started on the 29th September and were due to last one week (it overran).
March 2022
Welsh Water - A minor leak was reported to the storm drain on site. This has been repaired but the contractors are a little behind so will be clearing the site over the next few days and should be off site early next week at the latest (31st March 2022)
Pathworks on Bottoms Lane - We were successful in our grant bid for pathworks and Bottoms Lane path was resurfaced w/c 21 February. It's now looking good and will look even better when it is bedded in.
October 2024
Severn Trent
Will be on site from 24th October, and the crane for the final pump will be working on site the day after (Friday).
Dragonfly survey
As part of their dissertation, students from Chester Uni will be on site conducting a survey next week (w/c 28th October)
Fallen Tree
The tree that fell by the Riverside entrance is clear of the path. The contractors will be coming back to finish the job, they are awaiting specialist equipment so they can remove the branches from the river. They will be leaving the largest of the trunk on site for wildlife/us and taking the smaller stuff. The bird box is now with Julie Savory.
Scrub removal
The contractors will attend next week (w/c 28 Oct) weather permitting.
Appleyards
Welsh Water has now removed the herras fencing, repaired the ground damage as instructed and the site is now accessible. My watching brief is over! (Steph)
July 2024
Mowing
The new contractors are working well, some minor adjustments are necessary during this settling in period.
Severn Trent
The works are finally concluding over the next month or so. The compound and associated infrastructure will gradually be removed and the site restored. The Greenspace Ranger will continue to liaise with ST to ensure the site is left in good condition (12th July 2024)
May 2024
Welsh Water -works upriver
A few people have been asking about this although it's not on "our" Meadows. Welsh Water will be at Appleyards (the fields below) for approximately 10 weeks from 20th May replacing their main pipeline. Following their departure they will reinstate the ground and make it even.
May 2024
Update from Severn Trent
The compound has been moved back and the paths re-opened on a temporary basis only; this is to facilitate events/event safety. The works will continue at this time but once events are finished, the compound will need to be extended and paths closed. The requisite footpath closures remain in place. There will be reinstatement works when the project is finished. (30th May 2024)
February 2024
Update from Severn Trent
Costain plan to remobilise on the Meadows this week. They will be completing the site which will include putting fencing and signage up to keep everyone safe.
The following week they will look at setting up the crane pad, but this is weather permitted. (6th February 2024)
From Greenspace Officer Stephanie Hefferan
Update - 6th February 2024
I have contractors on site over the next couple of days doing the scrub removal. They are doing the annual scrub removal under the Stewardship agreement. This is the last year of the agreement so I will be applying at the end of the year for continuance but following changes to grant criteria and priorities nothing is guaranteed.
There will be no scrub removal of riverside trees as the licence has expired. I have applied for a new licence and will be meeting with the relevant Natural England officer in the next couple of months to assess it going forward and looking at options for addressing the bankside erosion. The Sailing Club have been notified so there will be no works undertaken this season.
2023 Updates
November 2023
Severn Trent – the compound is done and the site will go largely quiet until the next phase. Occasional vehicles will be on site but they will park in the compound.
The compound will be removed at the end of the project and reinstated.
Welsh Water – they have now repaired the blown manhole and repaired the immediate surrounds…I will be having further discussions with WW as I believe the repairs need to extend further along the pathways where the force of the water has removed the top dressing.
Bottoms Lane – This is currently being assessed by our Asset team.
Scrub removal - I haven’t yet booked the scrub removal and am looking into options (see 6th Feb 2024 update).
October 2023
Severn Trent Works - Eel screens installaton
Costain (the contractors for the Severn Trent works), will begin the works for the compound by the Water Mound on Monday 6 November. Site traffic will then be around for approx 4 weeks whilst this goes on, then there will be a lull until February. There will be some vehicles throughout the period but they will utilise the compound for parking.
May 2023
Mobility Access to The Meadows - The council is in consultation with a number of organisations looking to improve access for those with mobility issues across the borough. This is in the early stages at the moment but the Meadows is included in this. I have highlighted to those leading the project that any access improvements will be most welcome but their design must be both practical for the user and visually sensitive to the area.
April & May 2023
Severn Trent Works
Borehole works - Costain (working on behalf of Severn Trent) was on site from Monday 24 April to start the trial boreholes regarding installation of the eel screen (see below). The first two boreholes will hopefully be completed in four days, with the possibility of a further borehole in May, depending on the results of the first two.
This is the first phase of the project and there will be some further preliminary works later in the year with final installation next year. Confirmation of dates and more information wil be provided when known.
Update (10th May 2023)
The trial boreholes are now complete. Divers will be on site to conduct the underwater surveys over the next week or so, with some de-silting activity planned soon (dates to be confirmed). These will all be complete by the end of May and will not interfere with any of the events.
PRoW closure April to May 2023 - The project is to install eel screens at the Boughton river intake to upgrade the existing screening at the site as part of The Eels Regulations 2009. Works involve installation of the new screens and the associated MEICA* equipment, as well as the removal of the existing bandscreen. A pre-condition survey will be carried out and the grounds and paths will be fully reinstated to existing condition following the works. Vehicles expected to be on the meadows during the survey works are: several large vans and up to 3 cars.
During the works, there will be a requirement for the closure of the riverside Public Right of Way (PRoW) from the gates to the intake at ‘The Mound’. This is essential for contractor and public safety. Exact dates for closure have yet to be confirmed but are expected to be from mid April to end of May. The rest of the paths will remain open for public access.
*MEICA = Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Control and Automation
January 2023
Bottoms Lane grey water/smell - Welsh Water have attended the site this morning (24 Jan) following concerns reported of grey water and smells along Bottoms Lane. They believe that due to the recent prolonged wet weather, there has been emergency overflow pumped from the temporary works they have for mains pipe repair. Note: These works are significant and will be ongoing for a prolonged period.
In the meantime, in response top the recent issue, they will put more hay bales in the affected ditches as a temporary measure. The EA have been notified.
If you have concerns about this matter (or future similar incidents), please contact Welsh Water on 0800 052 0130 or via their website
2022 Updates
December 2022
Pathworks on Bottoms Lane - There have been water run-off issues with the path surface (see March 2022 below) which have been reported to the Asset Team. Awaiting responses for remedial action but depends upon budgets.
October 2022
Ditch work scrub removal - This work was booked in October 2022 and now waiting for a start date. Again we will be working to no more than one-third of the overall site.
September 2022
Severn Trent Works -Severn Trent works to replace the pump started on the 29th September and were due to last one week (it overran).
March 2022
Welsh Water - A minor leak was reported to the storm drain on site. This has been repaired but the contractors are a little behind so will be clearing the site over the next few days and should be off site early next week at the latest (31st March 2022)
Pathworks on Bottoms Lane - We were successful in our grant bid for pathworks and Bottoms Lane path was resurfaced w/c 21 February. It's now looking good and will look even better when it is bedded in.
From left to right in the photo: Stephen Savory, Julie Savory, Rachel Cross, Cllrs. Razia Daniels and Neil Sullivan.
February 2022 - Interpretation Boards are installed on The Meadows
Boards with information about The Meadows are now in place at the two main entrances. They highlight the environmental value of the Meadows, their history, the wildlife they contain and the debt owed to Phyllis Brown, who with her husband, Harry F Brown, purchased the land for public use.
Friends of the Meadows devised the design and undertook the initiative, with a grant of £2000 from the People’s Postcode Lottery and help from the budgets of Councillors Razia Daniels and Neil Sullivan. Officers of CWaC also gave their support, particularly the Greenspace Officer, Stephanie Hefferan.
Boards with information about The Meadows are now in place at the two main entrances. They highlight the environmental value of the Meadows, their history, the wildlife they contain and the debt owed to Phyllis Brown, who with her husband, Harry F Brown, purchased the land for public use.
Friends of the Meadows devised the design and undertook the initiative, with a grant of £2000 from the People’s Postcode Lottery and help from the budgets of Councillors Razia Daniels and Neil Sullivan. Officers of CWaC also gave their support, particularly the Greenspace Officer, Stephanie Hefferan.
January 2022
The latest from Stephanie Hefferan, Greenspace Officer
Path resurfacing – In October I received news that the grant application had been approved.
The paths are to be resurfaced on a cyclical basis over subsequent years. The highest priority areas will be addressed first. The path by the riverside forming a loop with the main access point, was identified as high priority and so resurfaced to improve access and provide more comfortable access for wheelchair users or those with mobility issues. Bottoms Lane will be the next priority area to be addressed.
Trees – Following Storm Arwen, there are still some large trees to deal with on Bottoms Lane. This is in the hands of the Tree Officer who is making suitable arrangements with contractors and neighbouring land owners to resolve.
Coppicing – Following a hiatus due to Covid, the area opposite Deva Terrace has now received its annual coppice completed by local residents. It was a good morning's hard work but the weather was beautiful. The area opposite the sailing club, is due to be coppiced by volunteers from the club and will be completed before the start of the nesting season.
Cut and collect – In October 2021 the bales were still on the Meadows; which should have been removed. I am concerned that if they are removed now there will be unacceptable ground damage so they may have to remain until the ground is accessible to remove safely. I will keep in regular contact with the new contractors to ensure that this gets done as soon as it is safe to do so.
The latest from Stephanie Hefferan, Greenspace Officer
Path resurfacing – In October I received news that the grant application had been approved.
The paths are to be resurfaced on a cyclical basis over subsequent years. The highest priority areas will be addressed first. The path by the riverside forming a loop with the main access point, was identified as high priority and so resurfaced to improve access and provide more comfortable access for wheelchair users or those with mobility issues. Bottoms Lane will be the next priority area to be addressed.
Trees – Following Storm Arwen, there are still some large trees to deal with on Bottoms Lane. This is in the hands of the Tree Officer who is making suitable arrangements with contractors and neighbouring land owners to resolve.
Coppicing – Following a hiatus due to Covid, the area opposite Deva Terrace has now received its annual coppice completed by local residents. It was a good morning's hard work but the weather was beautiful. The area opposite the sailing club, is due to be coppiced by volunteers from the club and will be completed before the start of the nesting season.
Cut and collect – In October 2021 the bales were still on the Meadows; which should have been removed. I am concerned that if they are removed now there will be unacceptable ground damage so they may have to remain until the ground is accessible to remove safely. I will keep in regular contact with the new contractors to ensure that this gets done as soon as it is safe to do so.
2021 Updates
Welsh Water works - Update May 2021
Welsh Water has announced that the reinstatement works scheduled for the weekend are now moved to Monday to avoid the forecasted heavy rain. The work will be monitored and inspected by myself and Welsh Water.
A full description of all the works and updates from November 2020 and since February 2021 can be found here
Welsh Water works - Update May 2021
Welsh Water has announced that the reinstatement works scheduled for the weekend are now moved to Monday to avoid the forecasted heavy rain. The work will be monitored and inspected by myself and Welsh Water.
A full description of all the works and updates from November 2020 and since February 2021 can be found here
2019 Updates
Bankside Fencing installed in July 2019
Fencing was installed on Thursday 11th July 2019 to address bankside erosion. As the bankside is a SSSI and a SAC it requires protection. Small gaps were placed for dogs and access for management. This will also prevent erosion from cattle if grazing takes place next year! A gate was later added for access by events participants when required.
Bankside Fencing installed in July 2019
Fencing was installed on Thursday 11th July 2019 to address bankside erosion. As the bankside is a SSSI and a SAC it requires protection. Small gaps were placed for dogs and access for management. This will also prevent erosion from cattle if grazing takes place next year! A gate was later added for access by events participants when required.
May 2020 - Death of Adele Edwards
In early May 2020 we had the sad news that Adele Edwards, who was one of the founders of Friends of the Meadows, sadly passed away. She died from cancer in a hospice in Wiltshire where her daughter lives. Her health had not been good for several years now.
Adele was on the first committee in 1994 as Membership Secretary and Editor of the newsletter. She took over as chairman from Richard Smart, the first chairman and continued to work for many years for Friends of the Meadows as both chairman and editor.
We extend our condolences to all her family and friends.
5th May 2020
Read David Holmes' article for Chester Chronicle: "Guardian of Chester Meadows dies age 79" (published 1 June 2020)
In early May 2020 we had the sad news that Adele Edwards, who was one of the founders of Friends of the Meadows, sadly passed away. She died from cancer in a hospice in Wiltshire where her daughter lives. Her health had not been good for several years now.
Adele was on the first committee in 1994 as Membership Secretary and Editor of the newsletter. She took over as chairman from Richard Smart, the first chairman and continued to work for many years for Friends of the Meadows as both chairman and editor.
We extend our condolences to all her family and friends.
5th May 2020
Read David Holmes' article for Chester Chronicle: "Guardian of Chester Meadows dies age 79" (published 1 June 2020)
December 2018 - Blue Plaque on Town Hall commemorates Phyllis Brown
A new Blue Plaque was placed on the wall of Chester Town Hall commemorating Phyllis Brown and Kate Clarke. FOM Members will know that Phyllis Brown was a resident of Curzon Park and with her husband Harry F Brown gifted The Meadows to the people of Chester. She was also the first female councillor and first female mayor in Chester. See History of the Meadows
A new Blue Plaque was placed on the wall of Chester Town Hall commemorating Phyllis Brown and Kate Clarke. FOM Members will know that Phyllis Brown was a resident of Curzon Park and with her husband Harry F Brown gifted The Meadows to the people of Chester. She was also the first female councillor and first female mayor in Chester. See History of the Meadows