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M25 Warwick Wold Balancing Pond Outfall Improvement Scheme
M25 Warwick Wold Balancing Pond Outfall Improvement Scheme
The Project
Warwick Wold Balancing Pond is located to the southeast of M25 J7, but can only be reached via local roads from junction 6-8. It lies within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the Green Belt. It is also close to the Quarry Hangers SSSI to the north.
The function of this pond is to filter sediments and pollutants from motorway run-off water before it flows into local streams. Due to the position of the inlet and outlet valves, and accumulated silt, the pond is not performing this function.
Works to improve the operation of the pond is being carried out in two phases. Phase 1 of the work has already been completed in early 2009 to improve pollution control through the provision of a shut-off valve on the inlet to the pond to enable containment of carriageway spills within the drainage system. Work has also been completed to relocate the headwall inlet to retain water for longer before it is discarged. Phase 2 of the work has now been carried out and was completed on Tuesday 2nd February 2010.
Phase 2 of the scheme is expected to have a positive impact on water and drainage by improving the quality of water leaving the pond by dredging part of the pond to reduce some of the accumulated silt. This is expected to improve the water discharged to Redhill Brook. The work will not affect the flow rate of water into or out of the pond and therefore will not increase the probability of carriageway or downstream flooding.
During the work there was minor disruptions for pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists as the bridleway running alongside the balancing pond was closed for safety reasons as it is relatively narrow and needed to be used by construction traffic. A pedestrian/equestrian diversion was in place via local roads and was signed locally. Please see the 'Contact Information and Map' page.
There will be no significant impact to wildlife as we have taken appropriate mitigating action to ensure minimum disturbance and the proposed work will not exclude them from their existing habitat. All work next to wildlife habitats will have ecological supervision and follow Natural England guidelines. In order to protect potential wildlife habitat, all works vehicles and sediment storage will be restricted to the existing hard standing area.
Project Timetable
- September 2008 - herptile fencing was erected around the works to ensure wildlife cannot enter the area - completed
- January 2009 relocation of headwall inlet - completed
- January/February 2010 the pond was dredged to reduce flooding and to improve the quality of the water being discharged.
