Hackney Council opened a new pedestrian path around the east bank of Stoke Newington’s West Reservoir on Wednesday, September 9, marking the final phase of a broader improvement project at the popular north London open water swimming site. The path’s opening had been delayed to allow new landscaping to establish, which required rainfall that was scarce during most of June, July and August.
Path completes reservoir upgrades
The new path is the last in a series of upgrades to the reservoir, which has been a beloved swimming spot for the past 20 years. Earlier this year, the council introduced a new cafe and reception area, a grassy patch for relaxing, and expanded open water swimming opportunities. Those improvements were completed three months ago, but the path remained unfinished until now.
A council spokesperson said: “We are pleased that the new pathway and bridge at the West Reservoir opened on 9 September, increasing access to more of the reservoir. West Reservoir is one of the most significant leisure and natural resources in inner London and we are proud to have upgraded this much-loved facility to be more inclusive, accessible and environmentally friendly.”
Residents raise concerns over new fence
Despite the positive announcement, the new path has sparked controversy among local residents. According to Hackney Citizen, residents in Woodberry Down have complained that a solid fence erected as part of the path now blocks the view from the public side of the cafe. They also object to the fact that the beach where paying swimmers sit is now closed to everyone else. Previously, non-swimmers had free access to the area, and the fence was not mentioned in the public consultation for the planning application.
In a letter to the council, residents wrote: “Before the development of the West Reservoir Improvement Project, everybody was free to sit in the café, relax and observe the reservoir, boats and swimmers. Now, it is a place of segregation where non-swimmers are treated as ‘outsiders’ who are excluded from sharing what should be common spaces. The café is now segregated and non-swimmers have to sit away from their friends.”
Council defends safety measures
Ian Holland, the council’s assistant director of parks, leisure and green spaces, responded to the complaints, stating: “For safety reasons, we’re significantly increasing footfall to that site. We need to restrict access to the activity area. We just can’t have hundreds of members of the public walking into the activity space.”
He added: “The swimmers particularly are concerned about people looking at them and watching them as they get in the water, which I can understand, which is us trying to come up with a way of obstructing the view slightly, whilst giving members of the public access to the water as well.”
Fence may be modified after feedback
The fencing may not be permanent. The council said it has met with members of the Woodberry Down Community Organisation, taken their feedback on board, and hopes to “make changes to these concerns soon.” Any change would be subject to planning approval.
The opening of the path increases access to more of the reservoir, which remains one of inner London’s most significant leisure and natural resources. The council has committed to addressing the residents’ concerns, with potential modifications to the fence pending planning approval.
