Wish.

Bernie..........I fully support you in your actions, and although far away from Southampton, I would if I may give you a few pointers on how to play the ace card straight away.

As the lake was purposefully built for that recreation, there is probably a covenant on the lake not to fill in and replace it with a car park or similar........I would go down to the town council and see if you can find that or any info on it first.......find out when it was built and then seek info from the local papers if you can't find anything in the council records.....that sort of ball breaker they like to keep to themselves....Local papers love a story like this.



At Fleetwood some years ago we had an infestation of weed and green algie, especially in warm runs of hot weather.

Granted, the council did try to do something, but gave up in the end for a while.

I was sailing my model one morning when my boat cut out..........weed had wrapped around the propeller, stalled the motor and burned the speed controller out.

I thought about it long and hard and put in a claim for my speed controller but on safety reasons.

I quoted that:

1) It might not have been my model that had come to grief, but one of wild life...... as they might have got their necks/legs etc wrapped around the weed and other obstructions and drowned...........we have swans and other wild life living on the pond, most and especially swans, being protective species, and more so protected by the Crown estates.

2) It might not have been a model boat but a child going for a paddle or a swim in the lake ( and even though signs are up for no crabbing and swimming, children and adults ( especially those who's bravado takes the better of them after a few drinks) go for a dip in the lake and get caught on the mess and weeds in the lake, and could possibly drown in it.

3) point out that the lake is unguarded by fencing, allowing free access to the public and as it is in such a mess, those voluntary custodians of the lake, i.e. the model boaters don't go down to the lake anymore and therefore are not watchful for the voluntary safety of the less wary.

4) point out that if the lake were restored to former glory, then the council could rest easy in that it would be an asset and not an eyesore, and once restored, would be kept in good condition by those using it for it's fit purpose.

5) Point out to them that as a public amenity, they have a lawful duty to keep it kept and environmentally safe and tidy for the public.

6) point out to them that being a place for like minded people to sail their models, and mix with wild life is in keeping with the national governments policy of use of open space and green belt usage.

7) and finally point out to them that the intervention of the Local Environmental Health and HSE would be contrary to those who stand on the local council's profile next time they are seeking re election.

Put it nicely and plainly but also ask them if they would like to give a quote to the local paper should you have to write to them................

Made the world of difference with the slimey shits on our local council.........things were done and done quickly, lol

 That's the only way to get council action works in Australia and there are no dedicated model boating lakes.
Human and wildlife health and safety gets the crooked Sods every time.

nhp651,
Excellent reply and thank you very much, I will copy and paste, with adjustments, to The Southampton city council as they know my name here now, I have just got 26 parking tickets refunded to the Pensioners opposite me because they omitted to remove a No parking plate in a bus stop that has not been used for over 4 years.

Bernie. 

No reply as yet from the Council

this time next year perhaps, if they are anything like our local council. lol

Well I will keep on sending the email, till I get a reply, they will get fed up quicker than I will 

Topvideos1001 wrote:

Well I will keep on sending the email, till I get a reply, they will get fed up quicker than I will 

I have received no reply after 15 attempts so far.

We have similar situation in Grantham, the pool was emptied by the council for cleaning and I am told it was damaged by a digger and now doesn't hold water and is currently empty, been that way for about 5 years I think.

I have been told funding it is in the pipe line but others have  told me they just keep moving the dates on and on.

I think if you want any action from the council you have to find who is responsible for sorting this sort of thing out and ring them weekly for a progress report, or do your own fundraising and fix it yourself.

Good luck with your efforts

I cant beleive that the Council ignore me, so I am going to our local MP so he can ignore me as well

Nobody is PM'ing for support, I need this to help my issue then I can copy and past them to the local ignoring Council.

What you need are local folk, really you need the local folk who use or did use the lake before it was overgrown.

Not sure that enough people come on this forum, mores the pity, from each area, mind you lots of folk do lurk in the background, they must be shy...................