U-turn over Hampstead Heath dams safety review
Engineers on the Hampstead Heath dams project have announced they will review a safety report which claims 1,000 people could be killed if a tropical storm hits the beauty spot.
Just last week Heath bosses ruled out a review saying it would cost time and money, despite calls from conservationists to scrap it.
But newly appointed engineer Dr Andy Hughes has pledged to carry out a fresh risk assessment report for the series of ponds after the City of London Corporation, which manages the Heath, announced it was scrapping earlier designs for the �15million project.
The Hampstead Heath ponds were dug as water reservoirs in the 1700s but Heath bosses believe their flood defences have to be rebuilt.
In a letter to the Corporation, he said: “I will strive to preserve the beauty and nature of the Heath and even enhance it where I can.”
You may also want to watch:
Superintendent Simon Lee called it a “positive step forward” and the Heath and Hampstead Society welcomed the review.
Most Read
- 1 Teenager's artwork reimagines grandfather's class photo
- 2 Highgate's assassin: the student hostel where a murder was planned
- 3 Haringey Council launches investigation into land deal with rapper
- 4 5 great places in north London to get away from the summer crowds
- 5 Modern murder mysteries set in the heart of Hampstead
- 6 Nancy Jirira wins Fortune Green by-election, holding on to Lib Dem council seat
- 7 £5,000 of crack cocaine and heroin found in Hampstead home
- 8 Crouch End Festival Chorus: Alexandra Palace Theatre
- 9 'Cash cows': Leaseholders fight for clarity and better value over 'huge bills'
- 10 'Like the Fleet's resurfaced': Flash flooding hits Hampstead and Highgate
