The pool is actually known to the EA as Eldene Balancing Pond, but back in the 60's, local residence use to call it Nythe Bog. Since then though it has been widened, deepened and in some parts straightened, to help alleviate the run off water from the estates that have grown up around it over the years.
The pool since I moved to Swindon 8 years ago has deteriorated rapidly, with Microwaves, TVs, Computer Monitors, Settees, Cable Drums, Bikes, Buggies, Prams, Child Car Seats, Wheelie Bins, you name it been dumped in the water. It is just deplorable that a minority of people feel the need to dump their rubbish, in hedges, fields, woods, ponds, rivers without any thought as to effect it has on wildlife or in this case keeping a waterway clear to stop the flooding of local properties.
As I say the real work started today and though 3 - 4 weeks has been set it, it really is dependant on how long the budget lasts to cover fuel costs etc. Mind you the digger today was making good headway, so hopefully they will be able to clean a good percentage of the pool.
Here are a few videos and Images from today:
The Weir Pool is cleaned and deepened.
Moving on from the Weir Pool the digger starts to clear the channel along the south bank.