Update on Recreation Field Drainage project

We would like to update Mepal residents on the status of the work on the Recreation field. The work was undertaken to meet obligations and conditions resulting from the original grant for the Pavilion and grounds and involved not just remedial work to the existing drainage lines, but also work to try to prevent flooding of the allotments and also flooding in the Mepal Play Area. This work is all minuted and relates to the Tender Specification for the project.

The first phase of work is complete, however this does not mean that the project is completed. In order to establish a surface that is stable, we are required to follow a number of agreed additional works over the next 9 months. We believe that the addition of the new larger attenuation pond, and removal of the damaged bridge and so-called ‘pond’ in the Play Area will resolve the flooding issues in the allotment and play area, but we will monitor this over the winter. Permanent fencing will be installed around the new attenuation pond in the Spring (we must allow the ground to settle first), assuming that the flooding issue is prevented over the winter.

In terms of the field drainage, further work is scheduled in the spring and summer, and the target date for full use of the field for any competitive football, would be Autumn 2021. The return of football to the village is, however, not a Parish Council responsibility, but we would hope that bringing all the facilities up to the required standard will facilitate the return of some football teams.

In the meantime we are happy to allow recreational games to be played on the field but would ask that people are careful with the surface.