leicester-scaffolding

A story in a local paper about a beauty spot which residents claim is an ‘Eyesore’. Established and highly skilled scaffolding companies can mitigate the visual impact of scaffolding on the environment.

A POPULAR beauty spot has been turned into an eyesore by scaffolding put up with no explanation, say concerned residents.

The scaffolding appeared around a section of the boating lake at Hollow Ponds, near Whipps Cross, in Spring 2009 blocking off views, and two years on there are no signs of it being removed.

Steve Curle, 59, of Chestnut Avenue South, Walthamstow, regularly takes his 91-year-old wheelchair-bound mother for walks near the site and says their enjoyment of Hollow Ponds has been severely affected.

He said: “This scaffolding has been up for a long time now.

“It’s right in the spot that gets the sun, and my mother can’t sit there anymore.

“She can’t watch the ducks or boats that made her so happy.

“We can go a bit further along, but it’s too cold in the shade and she just doesn’t enjoy it as much as she used to.”

Hollow Ponds is managed by the City of London Corporation (CLC), and a spokesman for them said: “The erection of temporary scaffolding around the southern perimeter of Hollow Ponds was an emergency measure designed to protect visitors from the unanticipated collapse of sections of the wharfing.”

The CLC say the danger only came to light during engineering studies carried out prior to planned improvement of the site.

They also claim plans are in place to restore the bank and that a new footway and floating pontoon will be added.

Those works are expected to cost as much as £75,000, but worryingly the CLC added: “Funding for this project has been identified in the 2012/13 financial year.”

The spokesman said: “Every attempt is being made to bring the funding for this work into the current financial year.”

But Mr Curle is not impressed.

“It’s a cop out,” he said. “It’s been two years, and now they are talking about 2013! That’s not a ‘temporary measure’ “Why haven’t they put up any notices? Why hasn’t anyone done any work at the site?

“They could at least put up some fencing which is more pleasing to the eye.”

Superintendent of Epping Forest, Paul Thomson, says there was a sign up on the site explaining the situation, but claims it was vandalised. He says a new sign will be put up.

Mr Thomson also says he understands Mr Curle’s other concerns about the spot, but claims the scaffolding is essential.

He said: “We recognise the temporary scaffolding is not particularly attractive and apologise for any disruption caused.

“Unfortunately it is required to ensure public safety.”