Lost feature of Gloucester receives prestigious award

One of the city’s hidden environmental features – the Saintbridge Balancing Pond –has received a prestigious award.

The pond was entered into this year’s Local Government News, Street Design competition under the waterways category and was successful in achieving an award.

Vandalism, fly-tipping and antisocial behaviour had turned the pond and surrounding space into a major eyesore.

Councillor Steve Morgan, cabinet member for the environment said: “The pond itself had not been desilted for over ten years and levels were such that it had begun to impact on its storage capacity. Compromising its primary purpose as a flood defence and creating an unhealthy environment for fish and other wildlife, the banks and island of the pond had also suffered extensive erosion and subsistence.”  

Gloucester City Council worked with residents group the Friends of Saintbridge Pond and the Environment Agency to restore this lost, tranquil haven.

“Thanks to the excellent work carried out by the Friends Group improvements that were not possible within the available funding were carried out. This is a real example of how the community can work with the local council to achieve great improvements.”

“The area is now a well used and loved area of public open space and of natural environment only two miles from the centre of the City. ” Added Councillor Steve Morgan.