Don't wreck Godmanchester riverside

Published: 10:18 AM September 24, 2008

Updated: 3:21 AM February 23, 2021

WE would like to draw your readers attention to the proposed future development in Godmanchester to fill in the shallow area of the pool at The Causeway, Godmanchester. The Environment Agency is proposing to build a flood defence wall adjacent to the exi

WE would like to draw your readers' attention to the proposed future development in Godmanchester to fill in the shallow area of the pool at The Causeway, Godmanchester.

The Environment Agency is proposing to build a flood defence wall adjacent to the existing Causeway. However, local councillors have proposed that the new flood defences should be further out into the existing pool, taking approximately 20-30 feet of the water area. This reclaimed land would, they suggest, be used to provide additional parking spaces, flower beds, grassed areas, moorings for cabin cruisers, lighting, amenity seating etc. etc.

This proposed development would totally transform the existing character of this well-loved place, which incidentally is currently a protected conservation area. While all of the above may sound very pleasing and acceptable, there are envisaged many problems relating to the scheme. Namely, increased maintenance costs, late night usage by revellers, causing both noise and environmental pollution, very much to the detriment of local residents.

A similar controversial scheme was first suggested, debated, and then rejected in The Hunts Post letters columns in January-February 1974.

Godmanchester Causeway as it is now is an unique environment. We can do no better than quote the letter written by the nationally-renowned Godmanchester architect, the late Marshall Sisson of West Street, Godmanchester, who wrote in 1974: "The waterfront of Godmanchester is widely known as a charming English scene and is probably unique among inland towns in having a wide stretch of river actually lapping against the road in a manner only comparable with the quayside of a harbour town. It would be a disaster to fill in the present basin and to push the river front to the far side of a stretch of grass and thus sacrifice an exceptional and unique amenity for a commonplace substitute."

BARBARA BRETT