By splitting the Council into three different areas will this not mean some work will be more than doubled up. We certainly don’t need more expense.
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As a regular walker at The Aquadrome I have seen many times people nearly hit by cyclists. Introducing and encouraging electric bikes to this area must not be allowed.
PEOPLE WILL BE KNOCKED DOWN.
RDRA response:
Many thanks for your email. County reorganisation is a central government initiative. All 11 district and borough councils have presented their proposals. It’s up to the government as to what option/s they will go for. My understanding is that we may get to vote on the proposal or maybe get offered a fair au comply. Keep watching the TRDC website for more info.
Re: cyclists and e-bikes in the Aquadrome , we as residents association do not have any direct influence . As you can imagine, these people are also local residents and unless this activity is made illegal, they have the same rights as any other group. What I’d suggest is that you should write to the council and voice your concerns. We as your residents association, raise this issue at relevant forums to make it as safe as possible for all users of the Aquadrome as possible for better enjoyment of all.
Thank you for the recent e news, which I found to be an interesting read as always.
I was very sorry not to have been able to come to the recent Local Forum meeting, which I hope was well attended. Was there any updates on the Aquadrome situation?
Can you let me know when the next public meeting from RDRA members will be as I would like to keep up to date on local issues.
What is the latest news regarding the zebra crossing on the canal bridge, any signs that something might be happening to improve this?
RDRA response:
Many thanks for your email. We’ll post updates on all current and live issues that we are actively engaged with on our website. Regarding the District council meetings and updates please keep up with the council website updates:
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).
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?
The RDRA Chairman requested a Freedom of Information request on the following questions:
When (on what date) was the decision to close the Woodland path taken? 9th February 2024
Who was responsible for taking that decision? Associate Director for Environment
When was the Environmental Agency Asked/Commissioned to do the Hydrological Survey? The EA has not been asked nor commissioned by TRDC to do a Hydrological Survey. Under their responsibilities for water management the EA have been in the process of updating their Flood Modelling for the Upper River Colne, which will inform a Hydrological Study of the Aquadrome commissioned to JBA by TRDC in 21 March 2024
When was the Environmental Agency’s Hydrological Survey Report received by the Three Rivers District Council? The Council initially received the EA updated Upper River Colne Flood Model ( it is assumed that this is what the enquirer is referring to) on 2nd October 2025 with a further updated version received by the council on 8th October 2025
When is the Environmental Agency’s Hydrological Survey Report being published and is in the public domain and available for public scrutiny? That is a question that the requester should pose to the EA. If this question in fact refers to the council commissioned Hydrological Study it is expected that, as reported to the councils Climate Change and Leisure Committee on 15th October, that this will be complete by the end of the calendar year and published in early 2026.
When is the TRDC scheduling to implement the Environmental Agency’s Hydrological Survey Report Recommendations? EA Upper Colne Flood Model does not contain recommendations, it is a model. Further details on this matter have been published in the report to TRDC Climate Change and Leisure Committee of 15th October and can be found on the council website: Agenda for Climate Change and Leisure Committee on Wednesday, 15th October, 2025, 7.30 pm – Modern Council item 11a.
This meeting was attended by multiple local residents. The next Local Area Forum is 13th November.
2. Ebury Play Area
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.
Ebury Play Area is a jungle
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!
3. Aquadrome
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.
4. Woodland Path
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:
The route the new path will take
The materials used
The construction method used.
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:
Connecting Three Rivers (formerly Local Strategic Partnership and Community Safety Board) meeting on 25th September, 10am
Audit Committee meeting on 25th September, 7.30pm
Local Plan Sub-Committee meeting on 8th October, 7pm
General Public Services and Community Engagement Committee meeting on 14th October, 7.30pm – future agenda.
Climate Change and Leisure Committee meeting on 15th October, 7.30pm
**Local Area Forum** meeting on 13th November, 7.30pm – future agenda.
Full Council meeting on 21st October, 7.30pm – future agenda.
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.
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.
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.
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.
