Hackney,
21
April
2023
|
15:48
Europe/London

A new green space and improved facilities at West Reservoir - have your say

Plans for a new green space, beginners’ open water swimming area, cafe and changing facilities at West Reservoir have been published by Hackney Council - with residents invited to have their say.

The plans are aimed at: opening up the east bank of West Reservoir so people can walk around it; boosting biodiversity; improving landscaping; and building a new accessible bridge across the New River.

At the West Reservoir Centre itself, proposals include: a dedicated beginners’ open water swimming area; an additional changing area inside the building, with showers, lockers and toilets; moving the cafe so it opens to outdoor seating areas; upgrading the events spaces; and, improvements to the boat workshop and learning spaces.

The plans are funded by £700,000 from the Mayor of London’s Green and Resilient Spaces Fund and £1.6m secured from developers. 

Cllr Caroline Woodley, Cabinet Member for Families, Parks and Leisure

These exciting plans for West Reservoir will help to make the site more accessible to the wider community, opening up a new public green space for Hackney, boosting biodiversity, and helping to create a greener, healthier borough.

We also want to make open water swimming more inclusive, while retaining the spirit of this special place - the additional changing rooms, accessible toilets and a beginners’ open water swimming area will help build confidence in open water swimming at the West Reservoir Centre.

Cllr Caroline Woodley, Cabinet Member for Families, Parks and Leisure
Shirley Rodrigues, London Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy

It's vital that everyone in the capital has easy access to high quality green spaces, and the plans for West Reservoir will make a huge difference to Hackney, by opening up this space, improving biodiversity and landscaping and creating a new beginners’ open water swimming area that people throughout the borough can enjoy. I urge residents to get involved and have their say on the exciting proposals.

Shirley Rodrigues, London Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy

The project to improve West Reservoir follows the Council’s investment in new solar power at West Reservoir in 2020 and a water source heat pump in 2022, helping to power the facilities. 

Residents can have their say online at: http://hackney.gov.uk/west-reservoir-improvement