There have been rumblings around Ryde over the last week as work started to restore the historic parkland around Appley Park.
The rumblings are from locals rather than the diggers, as work has been mistaken by some for a possible housing development.
We’re pleased to report however, that the work isn’t going to see a plethora of houses suddenly appear, but is aimed instead at returning the former pitch and putt area to something more like the original appearance of the park when it was designed by Humphry Repton in 1798.
It’s hoped that the restoration of the area will make it easier and safer to walk over and for the council to maintain.
The works, which started last Monday (24th October), are scheduled to take around a month, depending on the weather.
What’s involved in the work?
Ryde Town Council have been kept in the loop, being told the work will involve the removal of the built up greens, so the landscape can be returned to amenity parkland. The spoil will be used to backfill areas which have sunk.
It’s expected that the disturbed areas will be green again, if a little soft, by next spring, and within 12 months they will be indistinguishable from the rest of the site.
The good news for those who use the area is that we understand that the majority of the open area of Appley Park will still be available to the public during construction works.
Image: © Keep Britain Tidy Website
