Update on Runcorn Hill Pond
We understand that many people remain concerned about the long-term future of the pond, even though water levels are now steadily returning to normal.
Runcorn Hill Park has proudly held Green Flag Park status for many years, and we’re committed to maintaining that standard.
It’s important to remember the pond’s history: originally created in the early 1900s as a paddling and model boat pond, its shallow design did not account for wildlife or fluctuating water levels – this means the pond is less resilient during extreme weather conditions.
In 2016/17, more than £2 million was invested in improving the park, including a new café, upgraded playground, paths, and seating. At the same time, significant work was carried out on the pond, including:
- Dredging and wall repairs
- Enhancing natural surface water drainage
- Installing an aeration system
- Adding reed mats to improve water quality and habitat
This summer brought the longest dry spell ever recorded, causing reservoir levels to fall below 30%. While they are now recovering (currently around 60%, compared to the usual 75%), this explains why the pond’s water levels dropped so dramatically.
The good news is that water levels are continuing to improve. In addition, we are confident that we have secured funding to bring in an engineering consultant to assess the pond’s structure for weaknesses – although we do not expect to find any, beyond what would be expected for this type of design. Depending on the results, there are alternative proposals that could be explored, such as redesigning the pond to create a more natural feature that can better cope with varying rainfall and support greater biodiversity.
Any future plans would of course involve consultation with local residents and be reliant on securing additional funding.
For now, we’ve published some FAQs on our website, and will share further news once the structural assessment is complete.
We remain committed to the pond and ensuring it continues to be a space for everyone to enjoy.