West Reservoir path opens, but fence sparks access row

The path encircling the east bank of the West Reservoir in Hackney opened to the public on Wednesday 9 September. The opening follows the completion of a council improvement project, but has been met with criticism regarding new fencing that limits access to the waterside beach and a section of the café to individuals who have paid to swim.

A spokesperson for Hackney Council stated that the council is pleased the new pathway and bridge have opened, increasing access to more of the reservoir. They described the West Reservoir as a significant leisure and natural resource in inner London, proud to have upgraded the facility to be more inclusive, accessible, and environmentally friendly.

Criticism over Restricted Access

Campaigners and a Green party councillor have raised concerns about the new layout at the water's edge. A solid fence now obstructs the view from the public side of the café, with a turnstile controlling entry. The beach area, previously accessible to all, is now closed to non-swimmers. Malcolm Alexander of the New River Renewal Campaign and Professor Petra Wend from the Woodberry Down Phase 2 Residents’ Association wrote to Mayor Zoë Garbett on 21 August, calling the continued closure of the path 'appalling'.

Jasmine O’Connor, a Green party councillor for King’s Park ward, presented these concerns to council officers on 10 September. She noted that the fencing restricts the beach area solely to paying swimmers and blocks free access to water views for non-swimmers. Cllr O’Connor also highlighted that these changes were not included in the public consultation, leading residents to feel unheard.

Ian Holland, Hackney’s assistant director of parks, leisure and green spaces, told the Skills, Place and Economy Scrutiny Commission on Thursday evening that the path's delayed opening was deliberate. He explained that landscaping had not established and they had hoped for rain, which did not materialise. Mr Holland defended the fencing, stating the scheme was built according to planning permission. He cited safety reasons, increased footfall, and the need to restrict access to the activity area. He also mentioned swimmers' concerns about privacy.

Hackney Council stated that the project design had to balance the views of many groups, including the privacy and safeguarding of users within the centre with overall accessibility. They described splitting the café into two sections as the best way to balance these needs. However, Sarah Young, a Labour councillor for Woodberry Down, suggested the fence was also to prevent people swimming without paying and due to swimmers' privacy concerns.

Malcolm Alexander disputes the privacy rationale, pointing to the mixed-gender swimming area and private changing cubicles. He described the fencing as a waste of public money with no legitimate purpose for health and safety or privacy.

Consultation Discrepancies

The council’s own consultation report from July 2023, which received 794 responses, does not indicate that dividing the café was proposed to residents. The report details proposals for relocating the café with new outdoor seating but makes no mention of fencing or separating paying from non-paying users. The report did note that the conflict between the café and swimmers was the most common objection received, with 113 comments relating to the proposed café location and its impact on swimmers and green space.

The New River Renewal Campaign had previously raised objections to the relocation of the café in a submission to the council’s planning committee on 4 February 2024. They stated the plan would prevent the public from having a view of the reservoir and its activities, and suggested a small terrace for those paying to use the water sport centre. Planning permission was granted six months later.

The path around the east bank of the West Reservoir is now open, but the restrictions remain in place. It is unclear what further steps, if any, will be taken by residents or councillors regarding the fencing.