September 2010

Dedridge Pond restoration work begins

The group of local people behind the Dedridge Environment & Ecology Project (DEEP) have today accepted an offer from Water Gems (Alba) Limited of Dalmeny to undertake the restoration of the Dedridge Pond. Work is expected to start this week.

Specialist ecologists, including those from the Ponds Conservation Trust, have provided advice, which has informed the restoration proposal.

The Dedridge Pond is fast becoming dry land due to the large volume of sediment, which has been carried into it by the Dedridge Burn, largely a result of extensive development within the catchment.

The proposal includes for the removal of silt and the construction of a new edge around part of the pond to accommodate native marginal planting to help improve the landscape and habitat value of the new pond and adjacent woodland. A stilling basin will also be constructed upstream to help collect sediment before the burn flows into the pond.

Subject to weather conditions, the work is estimated to take about six-weeks. The first three weeks work will focus on draining the pond, making temporary arrangements for fish and swan mussels and other wildlife and allowing the sediment to dry out. Thereafter, the new wetland edge will be formed and planted before the pond is refilled and restocked.

The project aims to improve a very important area of green space in Dedridge comprising woodland, ponds and the Dedridge Burn, a tributary of the River Almond to increase biodiversity, improve access and enable the area to be used as an outdoor educational site for a number of local schools helping children to learn more about the environment.
The group comprises a cross-section of local people working in partnership with West Lothian Council. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Forestry Commission and Land Securities Group, a FTSE 100 company and owner of the nearby shopping centre, support the project.

The project is expected to take around six-weeks to complete, work includes:
• the removal of silt,
• the construction of a new edge around part of the pond to accommodate native marginal planting to help improve the landscape and habitat value of the new pond and adjacent woodland,
• a stilling basin will also be constructed upstream to help collect sediment before the burn flows into the pond.

April 2010

Dedridge Community Bridge Official Opening

The official opening of the bridge near the Lanthorn Community Complex.