News of path closures
Walkers on Section 8 of the London Loop have report a temporary closure. When they walked it on 13th July, the section beside the lakes in Bourne Hall Park was open but the notice suggests that it may be closed at some point.
The section north and across the road from Bourne Hall Park was closed. Note that these walkers started section from Ewell East station rather than Ewell West station. Walkers from Ewell West may need to divert using the northern part of the Horse Pond diversion route shown below.
There was a notice with the following information
EPSOM & EWELL BOROUGH COUNCIL
Temporary Path Closure For Essential Repair Works.
Apologies for the Inconvenience
The path beside the Upper Mill Pond and entrance in to Bourne Hall Park from Chessington Road will be closed whilst repairs and improvements take place during July & August 2022.
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?
The Upper Mill Pond and Horse Pond both form part of the head waters of the Hogsmill River, a globally rare chalk Stream.
Chalk streams provide a unique habitat, which harbours rich and varied plant and animal communities.
Some work is required to ensure both ponds function correctiy.
WHAT IS HAPPENING?
The Upper Mill Pond has a leak caused by tree roots which has become progressively worse in recent years.
To minimise disturbance to the pond some de-silting and the removal of its cracked weir to lower the water levels to their original level.
Please Note: Heavy machinery will be in use once work starts. Please keep dogs and young children under close control in the vicinity of the works.
If you have any questions, please call 01372 732000.
Guidance from the group walking the Loop
We were walking the Loop and came across a minor temporary diversion. The diversion is on section 8 just after Bourne Hall. I have roughly circled the area of the diversion.
When coming out north of Bourne Hall, you turn right onto Chessington Road, and then shortly afterwards you turn left onto the Loop. This short section is now closed for up to 9 weeks for footpath work.
The track we took is shown in bright orange and the Loop is shown as a red dashed line with purple blobs along it. When, from Chessington Road, you would normally turn left into Loop, we had to continue a short distance and turn left into Kingston Road.
Where you see the kink in the track on Kingston Road we had to cross Kingston Road because of no pavement on the left hand side.
Just beyond Mill Lane (on the right) we turned left into a short road and then right to rejoin the Loop.