'If it's not a natural pond and it's not been a success then we could fill it in'

Ally McGilvray • Published 15 Jun 2010 13:56 2 Comments

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A MAN-MADE pond in Galashiels could be filled in amid fears it could cause a child to drown.

Community councillors heard £3000 from the town's pay parking pot of cash has been set aside to improve safety at the water feature in Gala Policies.

They heard the slow flow of water had led to a build up of silt in the pond in the past year.

Local Councillor Fiona Lackenby, who claimed the state of the pond was "a worry", said: "My concern is a child could see something floating on the water and jump in." And she added: "I fear what would happen then because the silt in there is getting to dangerous levels."

Community councillor Murray Dickson said: "If it's not a natural pond and it's not been a success then we could fill it in."

The pond was built to reduce flooding and is more than a decade old. But members of Galashiels and Langlee Community Council last week heard keeping the pond as it was is not an option.

Councillor Sandy Aitchison, who revealed the wooded area was popular with walkers and wildlife, said: "It's a well-used area." But he added: "I'm afraid we're stuck as to how we would improve it as an amenity."

"I would be sad to lose it but as things stand something has to be done. I would doubt be would be able to fill in because of the wildlife that's there. SEPA (the environment watchdog) would be against it unless it posed a danger."

The meeting heard the woodlands management group had considered installing a solar-powered fountain to improve the flow of water.

Community councillor Ian Purvis, chairman of Gala Waterways, a subcommittee of the community council, said: "Personally, I would be in favour of doing something and keeping it. The Water Ways group have taken quite a keen interest in the pond and I would be sad to see it go."

Community council chairman Bill White suggested spending the council cash on commissioning a report by an expert but said opinions in the town were likely to be divided on the future of the pond.

"There's quite a lot of wildlife there and when it's in full bloom it's a nice park," he said.

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Donato Forte
Unregistered User
Jun 18, 17:21
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Do not fill it in!

Good grief, Galashiels and the surrounding areas have already reduced wetlands supporting many forms of wildlife. When I was a kid we had 2 great pond areas, Tweedbank and just north of Dalgliesh's(sp?) garage in Langlee both of these are gone, so are the Frogs/waterbettles/Coots/Moorhens etc. The fascination I had as a little boy, Pity kid's wont be able to see nature because we're scared maybe one little kid may get a scare or wet feet!

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Caroline
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Jun 24, 19:59
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A child`s safety should come before ANYTHING.Surely in this day and age a compromise or solution can be met as both sides of the subject are being discussed appropriately by the relevant parties. It is a nice,well-known area and this may lead to improvements ,you never know.

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