Added 5th June 2017

Enfield Council have once again turned to Turfdry's expertise for the construction of a flood relief channel and associated drainage installation project in Gough Park - now part of the Forty Hall Park & Estate, and former site of the historically significant Gough House.

The house's original owner - Harry Gough (1681-1751) - was a Director of the East India Trade Company, and MP to Bramber, where he used his position as the borough's sole landowner to exert pressure on the electorate to secure his seat in parliament. Gough House later passed to his son Richard (1735 - 1809) - who became a renowned antiquarian - before ultimately being demolished in 1899.

A drawing of Gough Park as it stood in the 1800s.

Now, as part of a broad effort to reduce the risk of residential flooding in Enfield, Turfdry are constructing a swale through Gough Park that will collect and carry surface water from the nearby road and newly installed flood relief channels in the park to connect to an abandoned section of the New River: an artificial waterway completed in 1613 that supplied drinking water to London from Hertfordshire.

A marvel of engineering in its day, the New River ran 28 miles from Hertfordshire to Islington. It relied on precise contour mapping and careful construction to allow gravity to provide steady flowing water, having an average fall of only 8cm/km (5"/mile). Fortunately - equipped with modern excavators and with decades of industry experience - Turfdry is more than up to the challenge of living up to this historical engineering pedigree!

Turfdry have been working closely with Enfield Council on the project to ensure that all earthworks seek to preserve or enhance the area's natural beauty, blending seamlessly and sympathetically in with their surroundings. In such dense woodland, all works require care and attention - in addition to close liaison with Enfield Council's Tree Officer. In view of the historical significance of the area, Turfdry have also welcomed Dr Martin Deane and the Enfield Archeological Society on to site to provide archeological supervision throughout the works.

The new flow of water into this abandoned section of the New River will confer ecological value, encouraging a richer and more diverse array of flora & fauna.

Turfdry will construct a new weir here to connect the collected water to the New River.

The flood relief channel begins to take shape.

Turfdry have worked closely with Enfield Council's Tree Officer to ensure all possible care is given to the preservation of the natural environment, and are exercising extreme care on such a constricted site.

Turfdry's unofficial mascot looks on approvingly.

The area adjacent to the park's historic gates will require particular care for the installation of drainage relief channels amongst such tight woodland.

We look forward to bringing you more updates on construction soon; in the meantime, find out more about our work with Enfield Council at Pymmes Park and Firs Farm Park, or visit the News Section for our recent projects.