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Nelly
Has anyone else noticed the large cracks that have appeared in the Victoria Park pathways recently? The concrete culvert that runs along by the nursery also seems more noticable as well.

I know it's been dry recently, but not drastically more than any other year, just wondering if the changing levels have something to do with the building or water pumping that's been going on in Parkway?
blackdog
QUOTE (Nelly @ Jul 13 2010, 07:07 PM) *
Has anyone else noticed the large cracks that have appeared in the Victoria Park pathways recently? The concrete culvert that runs along by the nursery also seems more noticable as well.

I know it's been dry recently, but not drastically more than any other year, just wondering if the changing levels have something to do with the building or water pumping that's been going on in Parkway?


I suspect the Parkway pumping has an awful lot to do with it.
user23
QUOTE (Nelly @ Jul 13 2010, 07:07 PM) *
Has anyone else noticed the large cracks that have appeared in the Victoria Park pathways recently? The concrete culvert that runs along by the nursery also seems more noticable as well.

I know it's been dry recently, but not drastically more than any other year, just wondering if the changing levels have something to do with the building or water pumping that's been going on in Parkway?
It's been the driest start to the year for 80 years.

http://www.clickgreen.org.uk/analysis/gene...r-80-years.html
Iommi
QUOTE (user23 @ Jul 13 2010, 07:22 PM) *
It's been the driest start to the year for 80 years.

http://www.clickgreen.org.uk/analysis/gene...r-80-years.html

It looks like the driest start for 60 years - if that makes any difference...

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pres...pr20100707.html

"June ended with below average rainfall and updated provisional figures show that January to June had average rainfall of around 362.5 mm, making it comparable with 1953 which had 361.1 mm. 1929 had the driest first six months of a year, when 275.7mm of rain was recorded."

However, further in the site it also states...

"From 1 January to 28 June the UK had 356.8 mm of rain, again the driest six months since 1929, when 275.7 mm was recorded."

So I'm not sure if they know what they are on about.
On the edge
Shouldn't West Berks. Council be sorting the weather out with the Met Office? Disgraceful! laugh.gif
theone09
I've noticed the path that goes along parkway has some big cracks in it recently, which they've tried 'covering up' with tar.
blackdog
QUOTE (theone09 @ Jul 14 2010, 01:05 AM) *
I've noticed the path that goes along parkway has some big cracks in it recently, which they've tried 'covering up' with tar.

Months ago someone told me that the damp areas of the park over by the A339 were much improved (ie drier) thanks to the Parkway pumps. Add a dry summer and its no surprising that cracks are appearing. For their owners sakes I hope it doesn't effect the houses along the north of the park.
Good Boy Racer
QUOTE (On the edge @ Jul 13 2010, 08:45 PM) *
Shouldn't West Berks. Council be sorting the weather out with the Met Office? Disgraceful! laugh.gif


Get HAARP to sort the weather out here.... more hot days please!
Nelly
QUOTE (Good Boy Racer @ Jul 14 2010, 09:23 AM) *
Get HAARP to sort the weather out here.... more hot days please!


Ok so it looks like its been the driest for a long time

It just seems a little strange that none of the other open spaces in Newbury also appear to be sinking. Some of these cracks are at least 6ft long and and an inch wide.
JeffG
Surely they must have investigated the effect on the water table before they started the Park Way development? Or would that have been too sensible?
Exhausted
QUOTE (JeffG @ Jul 15 2010, 12:29 PM) *
Surely they must have investigated the effect on the water table before they started the Park Way development? Or would that have been too sensible?


Have a look at the amount of water that is flowing into the Kennet from their pumps. You can see the pipe discharge under the pier of the wharf bridge. (do we still call it the American Bridge ?). That amount of water removed from the site must have a detrimental effect on the area and will I'm sure cause considerable shrinkage. If I owned one of the northern houses, I might be a little concerned as you can bet that they will only have earth footings as was the practice in the days when they were built. Now that the rain is back with us the problem may be alleviated.
JeffG
QUOTE (Exhausted @ Jul 15 2010, 11:59 PM) *
Now that the rain is back with us the problem may be alleviated.

Or even alluviated? (Play on words - not spelling check!) smile.gif
Mark NWN
Story

Thank you to the forummers who pointed this out...

Again, if there is anything you think needs highlighting, would be great to hear from you, mark.taylor@newburynews.co.uk
Nelly
Hmmmmmm

Well, there's a surprise - according to Costain the ground movement is nothing to do with their building works!

Whilst I do not doubt the dry weather may have contributed, how many other areas in Newbury (such as Stroud Green maybe) have had this much movement/pavement cracking this summer?? The problem seems very localised, I live very near to the park and the ground water levels are still high (unlike the area directly in front of the new development where its being diverted from) - to the point where the drains are going to be full after the first good downpour.
Bofem
QUOTE (Nelly @ Aug 9 2010, 01:09 PM) *
Hmmmmmm

Well, there's a surprise - according to Costain the ground movement is nothing to do with their building works!

Whilst I do not doubt the dry weather may have contributed, how many other areas in Newbury (such as Stroud Green maybe) have had this much movement/pavement cracking this summer?? The problem seems very localised, I live very near to the park and the ground water levels are still high (unlike the area directly in front of the new development where its being diverted from) - to the point where the drains are going to be full after the first good downpour.


Not on your nelly! These poor people in Kendal have got big cracks in their homes near to where a developer extracted water from an underground car park. So it's far from 'local' ohmy.gif

http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/new...from_developer/
On the edge
Think User23 may well have a point - the Summer has been very hot, then very wet. Most materials find that difficult to cope with. Im don't live anywhere near Victoria Park, but have noticed a crack in my nice recently re surfaced driveway!
Iommi
I see the council have had to abandon plans to finance themselves, a survey into the 'cracked earth' syndrome.
David Allen
QUOTE (Iommi @ Aug 14 2010, 10:11 AM) *
I see the council have had to abandon plans to finance themselves, a survey into the 'cracked earth' syndrome.


Not true. Quotes for the survey costs and legal fees are indeed eye-watering, but we are committed to finding out the causes of Victoria Park's problems.

News on latest developments should be out shortly.

Regards

David Allen
Newbury Town Councillor - Victoria Ward
Iommi
QUOTE (David Allen @ Aug 14 2010, 10:49 AM) *
Not true.

According to the NWN, page 6 column 4: Graham Hunt was quoted as saying the cost is beyond their budget.

QUOTE (David Allen @ Aug 14 2010, 10:49 AM) *
Quotes for the survey costs and legal fees are indeed eye-watering, but we are committed to finding out the causes of Victoria Park's problems. News on latest developments should be out shortly. Regards David Allen Newbury Town Councillor - Victoria Ward

I did not say the NTC weren't committed to finding the causes, only that the NTC are not going to fully fund it.
On the edge
Just before we go off spending money might be wise to do a quick check in rest of District. Nothing elaborate; simply has anyone noticed any cracks etc. Might just save us a few quid on a Survey at a time when there are other more pressing things.
David Allen
QUOTE (On the edge @ Aug 14 2010, 04:55 PM) *
Just before we go off spending money might be wise to do a quick check in rest of District. Nothing elaborate; simply has anyone noticed any cracks etc. Might just save us a few quid on a Survey at a time when there are other more pressing things.


Good point. I've walked around all the major open spaces around Newbury in the last week or so, and haven't noticed anything like the problems in Victoria Park.

Please let me know if anyone notices cracks or subsidence similar to the park's football pitch, bowls club, tennis courts and pathways.

My contact details are on the Town Council's website.

Many thanks

David Allen
On the edge
QUOTE (David Allen @ Aug 14 2010, 08:54 PM) *
Good point. I've walked around all the major open spaces around Newbury in the last week or so, and haven't noticed anything like the problems in Victoria Park.

Please let me know if anyone notices cracks or subsidence similar to the park's football pitch, bowls club, tennis courts and pathways.

My contact details are on the Town Council's website.

Many thanks

David Allen


Thanks - well done!
eternalriver
There are serious problems in Victoria Park. The whole football pitch area feels universally uneven with cracks and there are several holes present, one of which I managed to get my arm into up to my shoulder - there was nothing but empty space underneath. It feels like the pitch can collapse into something akin to a vast cavern underneth it! What with the cracks in the Victoria Park pathways, the walls closest to the Parkway development pulling away from the road and the other stories about cracks appearing in houses, the bowling green, etc., why is it not a priority to formally investigate this? We had hot and dry summers in 2003, 2004 and 2006 but I don't remember this scenario arising before.
dannyboy
QUOTE (David Allen @ Aug 14 2010, 08:54 PM) *
Good point. I've walked around all the major open spaces around Newbury in the last week or so, and haven't noticed anything like the problems in Victoria Park.

Please let me know if anyone notices cracks or subsidence similar to the park's football pitch, bowls club, tennis courts and pathways.

My contact details are on the Town Council's website.

Many thanks

David Allen

You can pop round to my garden if you like. Lots of cracks.
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