Councillor says 'more needs to be done' to fix leak at park

Councillor Malcolm Mitchell says he is pushing for a resolution to be found for a leak which has been affecting the pond in Knightswood Park for the past five years.

Earlier this month, we reported that the reason as to why the pond has been emptying each year remains a mystery.

Glasgow City Council (GCC) confirmed that a probe into the issue is still ongoing after water levels drastically dropped again in July.

The eastern end of Knightswood Pond in October, 2024 (Image: Newsquest staff)

Cllr Mitchell believes that a new project could help alleviate the issue but “will absolutely not provide a definitive solution”.

He said: “Since I was elected two and a half years ago this issue has come up repeatedly. If we don’t get a solution we’ll be back here again next year.

“I’ve been pushing within the council’s NRS (Neighbourhoods, Regeneration, and Sustainability) and parks teams.

“There’s always talk of investigating but how long do we investigate before we realise what the issue is.

“Money has been allocated through the Parks and Open Spaces fund for a range of things in the park so there is a commitment to the park it’s just the pond that is the big issue.

“It’s a focal point. There are some issues in the adjacent streets with flooding so there’s a project that’s been looked at to alleviate that.

“Originally, I think there was a bit more of an expectation that it would provide a bigger solution for the pond but my understanding now is that it's very much more a solution for the flooding and it will have a bit of impact on the pond but it will absolutely not provide a definitive solution for that.”

(Image: Newsquest staff)

The western end of the pond (Image: Newsquest staff)

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(Image: Robert Perry) A GCC spokesperson confirmed that plans to reduce surface water flooding on Waldermar Road and Archerhill Road, both of which run alongside the park, are being developed.

Detailed designs for the project are being drawn up and it is hoped that it will help divert flows of surface water into the pond which will help top up water levels during wet weather.

The work is expected to cost around £300,000.

So far, half of the funding required has been secured and the local authority hopes that once the designs are finished that will ensure the remaining funding is allocated.

At the latest meeting of Knightswood Community Council members discussed the project and described the flooding as being a “significant issue” in the area.

Speaking at the meeting earlier this month Councillor Chris Cunningham said: “The problem is water coming down Archerhill Road and around the corner onto Waldermar Road.

“It is causing a significant issue for some houses. Part of the problem is the relationship between the road and the houses.

“They were built slightly lower than the level of the road so flash flooding water seeps to the lowest level which sees it flow down driveways and around the foundations.

“Work is going to be done to address the problem but it will probably take a bit of time.”