If you are able, please come along to the next Local Area Forum council meeting to hear about the Aquadrome, in particular Woodland Path and Ebury Play area and ask questions or voice your concerns. This meeting will be held in Penn Chamber, Three Rivers House, Northway, Rickmansworth WD3 1RL (location details).
Agenda (view on council website)
RDRA Chairman Ash attends this Steering Group meeting and speaks up on behalf of residents.
Thank you to everybody who signed our petitions at the last Sunday Market – they really help us!
The report below is about the Aquadrome, from the Climate Change and Leisure Committee, held on 15th October 2025.
The Environment Agency has finally released the flood modelling on 2nd October which had delayed the completion of the Hydrological survey, which was preventing the Woodland Path from re-opening. This report says that the Hydrological survey should now be completed by the end of the 2025. But what are the next steps after that?
Read report: Supplement Supplementary papers – Rickmansworth Aquadrome Programme 15102025 1930 Climate Change
The RDRA Chairman requested a Freedom of Information request on the following questions:
This meeting was attended by multiple local residents. The next Local Area Forum is 13th November.
As we are all aware, during the construction of the bridge and renovation of the play area, Japanese Knotweed was brought in to the area with the top soil. A 16-week Remediation Plan is still being negotiated with the contractor in charge of renovating the Play Area. There are 7 different ways that Knotweed can be treated: chemical methods or manual digging methods. In order for the Remediation Plan to start, the most appropriate method needs to be agreed and vetted by the Environment Agency. Certainly the chemical methods are deemed problematic in a place where children will play and next to the River Colne.
One resident said that the Aquadrome was the jewel in the crown of Rickmansworth, that all residents loved it and to see it in rack and ruin – a jungle – is devastating. Another resident requested that the council sue whoever was responsible for the situation.
One resident suggested the Aquadrome was “littered with Knotweed and because it’s not a poisonous plant”, the Play Area should be strimmed and opened up for use. This can’t happen because the contractor is still in possession of the site. And the council confirmed that the Aquadrome is not littered with Japanese Knotweed but there are certain areas where treatment is needed every year. Paula Hiscocks suggested that this yearly treatment is all that is needed in this instance for the play area. The council said that they wanted a permanent solution for this area.
One resident asked why all communications about this issue are not in the public domain. But the council said some things that aren’t yet negotiated cannot be in the public domain yet.
So, although this is the same thing the council said 4 months ago, we suspect they can’t tell us anymore because they might be in some sort of legal situation but we hope that they’re getting a good deal, on our behalf!
One resident reported that people had set up tents in the Aquadrome with tent pegs, i.e. flouting the no-dig rule. The council said that the restrictions placed upon the Aquadrome, due to asbestos being found, can be overcome by using vehicles instead of tents and that whoever needs to can always talk with officers of the council.
The council said the annual Boat Rally would like to expand into areas of the Aquadrome and these areas are being investigated.
This path is still closed because a report denounced it as “structurally unsound”. They are awaiting on a FRAPP but this in turn is waiting on new Environment Agency modelling to determine future flooding. The council meet with the Environment Agency weekly to discuss this issue but this new model is always late – the next launch date is set for 29th September but we’re not holding our breath! Once the FRAPP and modelling are in place then the following items need to be agreed for a durable and long-standing path, that will probably cost 6 figures:
Let’s all hope the Ebury Play Area contractors aren’t used!
As the meeting drew to a close, there was a consensus among residents that there wasn’t enough time to hear all the questions and queries from locals about the Ebury Play Area/Aquadrome/Woodland path. The council said they hold regular meetings in Penn Chamber, Three Rivers House, Northway – here are the next ones from the TRDC website:
Agendas are usually set after the preceeding meeting. Anyone can attend any meeting to observe only. Questions from members of the public must be submitted in writing beforehand. However, we can freely get involved during Local Area Forum meetings. To suggest topics for any meeting agenda, submit questions for discussion or to request to speak/present, please email: committeeteam@threerivers.gov.uk.
Click here for part 1 of the meeting: Local Government Reorganisation.
Message received 20th July – via comment under post Vital improvements to Aquadrome receive cash boost.
All well and good, but has anyone started treating and or clearing the japanese knotweed in the playground yet? Full of weeds and still no access to a playground that cannot be used. Do the council have any idea when or if the playground will be open?
RDRA response:
Good questions David. We await further news from TRDC. Please do write to your local elected representative/s and councillors as well to get their feedback.
Find Your Councillor: https://democracy.hertfordshire.gov.uk/mgFindMember.aspx
Message from Three Rivers District Council.
Plans to improve Rickmansworth Aquadrome have received a cash boost to the tune of hundreds of thousands of pounds thanks to the support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Three Rivers District Council has received initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Water, Wildlife and Wellbeing at Rickmansworth Aquadrome project, announced on 11th July. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players, the project aims to enhance, nurture and protect the site. Development funding of £736,515 has been awarded by the Heritage Fund to help Three Rivers progress their plans to apply for a full National Lottery grant of £4m at a later date. The success of the funding bid was also made possible through using funds awarded by HS2 Colne Valley Additional Mitigation Panel as match funding.
Message received 25 June 2025 – via email.
I have heard that the Council may require dogs to be kept on leads in the Aquadrome. Also there may be a requirement for dogs to be kept on the lead elsewhere.
I am the custodian of a mini Schnauzer – my fourth. His youth and nature is such that I would always walk him on the lead beside a road but the great pleasure for both of us is when we are in an open space and he can be free of the lead and sniff, run, and mingle with other dogs at will.
Living on the Harefield Road the Aquadrome is in easy reach. If this proposal is passed, I shall have to drive elsewhere. Hopefully, the council will not choose to restrain dogs in all their open spaces, even so I shall then add to pollution (and this is not a ‘good’ thing).
My dogs are essential for my life. When we are on our daily walks, I meet neighbours and strangers and friends – my social life. Without a dog, I would stay indoors most of the time and as I have no family I, too, would have mental health problems – and that is no idle comment.
I imagine most other dog owners would agree with me.
I hope this is a matter where you can represent us dog owners to the Council.
RDRA response:
As a German Shepherd dog owner who walks at the aquadrome twice daily, I understand and sympathize with your concerns.
In my view, it is some dog owners, rather than their dogs, who require better training and information. Improved signage and information boards around the aquadrome would be beneficial.
It is natural for an animal to sniff other dogs as a form of introduction. However, some aggressive dogs should be kept on leads and, in certain cases, muzzled.
Implementing a single, blanket policy would be inappropriate. Additionally, how does the council plan to enforce this policy? It could lead to conflicts between dog owners and create an unpleasant, hostile environment.
I am willing to organize a resident’s forum to discuss this issue if there is interest.
Message received 17 June 2025 via comment under Riverside Path topic avoided by authorities post.
I attended 3RDC’s local area forum on 4/3/25, and asked the text below. I’m unable to attend the [RDRA AGM] meeting tonight, 17/6/25;
I am speaking against the Rickmansworth Aquadrome Management Plan because it does not address the following points.
RDRA response:
Many thanks for this post. We can file a ‘Freedom of Information’ request to get TRDC to respond.
Message received 12 June 2025 – via Comment under post: Message from the Aquadrome Steering Group.
Once again the issue of the closure (now 18 months+) of the Riverside Path is avoided. It was closed on highly debatable H&S and public safety grounds. Although 3RDC claims to be committed to repairs and reopening, it is apparent from the summary above that there is no funding secured either for investigative work, nor repairs. The promise of re-opening therrefore is little better than worthless, and the basis for the closure remains deliberately vague and imprecise. Truly a disgraceful state of affairs and one with little prospect of resolution.