I wanted to ask whether the RDRA plans to make any comment regarding the recent statement in the Lib Dem Focus leaflet about the removal of knotweed from the Ebury Way play area.
While the leaflet suggests that progress is now being made, it seems to gloss over the considerable delays and the role that local pressure, including the RDRA’s planned protest march, played in prompting action. Many residents will be aware that this issue has taken a long time to reach this stage, with repeated references to legal and contractual complications.
Given the RDRA’s involvement and advocacy on this matter, I think it would be helpful for residents if there were some acknowledgement of the full context, including how progress was ultimately achieved.
I would be interested to hear your thoughts on whether the association intends to address this publicly.
RDRA response:
Thank you for your email and for sharing your thoughts regarding the Lib Dem Focus leaflet and the ongoing situation at the Ebury Way play area. At present, the RDRA does not have any plans to make a public comment about the leaflet or the progress reported. However, we will continue to monitor developments closely and remain engaged with the issue to ensure that residents’ concerns are properly addressed.
We appreciate your interest in the matter and will keep the residents updated should there be any significant changes or further actions required.
Due to the inaction of the Three Rivers Council regarding the reopening of the Ebury Play Area, closed since March 2024, there will be a Demonstration March starting at the TRDC car park at 11am and ending up at the Play Area.
All are welcome to join – bring protest signs, placards and banners!
Councillors say work has already started but we see no evidence of earthworks happening so we’re joining this Demonstration March in the hope it draws more attention to this issue. Worth noting that Councillors who presided over Ebury Play Area decisions do not live in Rickmansworth and it’s hard to say whether they have personally visited the site since it was abandoned two years ago to check on any progress.
RDRA presented our Ebury Play Area petition to the Climate Change and Leisure Committee on 11th March. We asked Paul Harding to speak on this topic for 3 minutes as he is a nearby resident – his excellent speech is below. After his speech, the Committee lead responded by saying that construction work will commence at the end of the month, before Easter. But in a previous meeting another Councillor said that “boots on the ground” work started last week! All residents at the meeting walked out in disgust because the Committee lead didn’t allow a point of order or discussion.
There is a rumour of a demonstration happening on 28th March starting at the Council offices at and ending at the Play Area – we’ll keep you posted if we find out more information!
Paul’s excellent speech
“While studying for a post graduate business qualification, I learned a phrase that has stayed with me ever since; behaviour is an observable function.
“With that in mind, I observe the absence of any work in the Ebury Playground since spring last year to demonstrate the council’s inept management of the playground refurbishment project. Although yes, I did see two people in there this afternoon, with their clipboards, hiviz jackets, over shoes and hard hats – but they did no actual work; merely observed and recorded what has lain there – or grown there – for almost a year now. The last time I recall seeing anyone in there was the same day that a TRDC public meeting was to be held that evening in this room.
“To be absolutely clear; I use the word “inept” here because it most closely meets the level of skill observed by TRDC’s behaviour in this matter; synonyms are – clumsy, incompetent, ineffective, inadequate. You will no doubt be aware that, with the arrival of spring, those weeds that were imported to the Ebury Playground a year ago will soon be seeding, germinating, sprouting and spreading. I understand that the recommended remedy to NNIS such as Japanese knotweed is to either treat with pesticide or mechanical removal. I further understand that the contractor has apparently offered removal, but TRDC has rejected this and said it wants to have the weeds treated. Has it escaped TRDC’s notice that this is a children’s playground?
“We, your public, residents and electors are fed up with asking you to do the right thing; you seem incapable of responding without dithering, obfuscation and avoiding the issues. When the forthcoming local government reorganisation is settled, yours will be the worst possible legacy in the history of this town.”
Thank you for the recent update newsletter and all your good work for Rickmansworth.
To my shock M&S have closed off the pathway from the council car park to Ebury Road while doing their renovation works to the shop.
As far as I understand this is a public right if way as the passage between the houses surely does NOT belong to M&S.
Since the (very badly communicated) renovation works are scheduled to take a further 6 weeks to two months this, much used, public footpath should be reopened for access asap
I do hope this issue can be addressed by those concerned and the current situation rectified.
RDRA response:
This is a public footpath so it is the responsibility of Herts County Council and they have confirmed that due to health and safety concerns the path will remain closed until M&S complete their works. I am awaiting a time line.
When the RDRA Committee attended the last few Sunday Markets, we asked residents to sign our two RDRA petitions – one for the opening of the Woodland Path (flooded in March 2024 and closed ever since) and the other for the opening of Ebury Play Area (blighted by Japanese Knotweed and closed since January 2025).
We have now submitted these petitions so that the Council knows the strength of feeling in Rickmansworth & its districts for these two wonderful places and that we all demand they take swift action and open them as soon as possible.
If you didn’t manage to sign our RDRA petitions, then please let your local Councillor know what you think about these closures: https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/councillors
The RDRA hopes to be given 3 minutes to speak about the Ebury Play Area petition at the next Climate Change & Leisure Committee meeting on 11 March 2026, 7.30pm (arrive from 7pm) to be held in the Penn Chamber, Three Rivers House, Northway, Rickmansworth, WD3 1RL – if you are free and able, then please attend to add weight to our cause! Note, this meeting does not allow open questions or comments, unless you submit in writing 8 days before the Agenda is posted to committeeteam@threerivers.gov.uk.
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).
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.
