Repairs set to start at park's damaged lake banks

A project to repair the crumbling banks of a lake at Wakefield's largest urban park is expected to begin.

The public is currently unable to access parts of Pontefract Park's lake perimeter because sections of its edge have become a hazard.

Wakefield Council agreed to invest £1.3m for repairs in 2021, but the work was delayed after it was reclassified as a reservoir due to its size, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

A planning application submitted in July to carry out repairs to walls and paths around the water has been approved by the council.

Pontefract Park is owned and managed by Wakefield Council and Pontefract Park Race Company, with Pontefract Racecourse surrounding the lake.

The work forms part of a Pontefract masterplan aiming to establish the town as a "cultural destination" by 2028.

Along with repairs, a spillway would be built and safety fencing erected.

"The walls and paths around the lake have fallen into disrepair with many of the walls now rotating into the lake, creating safety issues and making the lake less attractive," a council report said.

"A public safety risk assessment has also identified the need for additional safety measures around the lake, including strategic use of fences."

Tim Johnson, the council’s green space and countryside manager, previously said the work was expected to be carried out during the 2024/25 winter period.

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