Arnos Park Preservation Society

22/03/2026

ENFIELD DISPATCH COVERS ARNOS PARK WATER MAIN WORKS

The Enfield Dispatch has covered our story about inspection covers and flooding in Arnos Park, following Thames Water works in the park last year (see link).

The article says that we think the inspection covers are causing the flooding. Actually, we think the flooding might be due to materials used in the temporary road for construction vehicles not being completely removed, and/or the ground in that area being compacted. Before these works, rainwater never used to puddle in this area.

APPS would also like to point out that the main problem with the inspection covers is that they stick up above the surrounding ground, making the area around them impossible to mow, and dangerous for football or other activities.

A friends group says Enfield Council needs to ensure the works are “fully remediated”

28/01/2026

ARNOS PARK NOT MADE GOOD AFTER WATER MAIN WORKS

Enfield Council said in October that public engagement on the river scheme was on hold pending more flood risk analysis.

In the meantime, there is another problem in the park with inspection covers installed after the new water main went in. They stick up above the ground, making it too dangerous for football and other sports, and they are surrounded by puddles.

Please see our press release on this, and rest assured that Arnos Park Preservation Society and Friends of Arnos Park will continue pressing for an acceptable resolution to this problem.

01/12/2025

ENFIELD COUNCIL WANTS TO TURN ARNOS PARK INTO A CYCLE ROUTE

Enfield Council recently resumed their engagement process, started in 2023, about a new walking and cycle route from New Southgate to Palmers Green (see extracts from the proposals below).

All the details of the plan are not yet clear, but it includes widening the path by the river in Arnos Park to have separate walking and cycling lanes.

APPS believes this will make the park less safe for walkers and less green and pleasant – see our more detailed objections below.

The deadline for comments is Sunday 07-Dec. You can read about the proposals and let the Council know your thoughts here: http://letstalk.enfield.gov.uk/newsouthgate-palmersgreen

Also you can email them at [email protected] or write to them at ATTN Journeys and Places team, Enfield Council, Silver St, EN1 3XA

PLEASE LET THE COUNCIL KNOW IF YOU SHARE OUR CONCERNS ABOUT TURNING THE PARK INTO A PUBLIC TRANSPORT ROUTE.

07/10/2025

UPDATE FROM ENFIELD COUNCIL ABOUT THE RIVER SCHEME

On 01-Oct-2025 we got this response from the Council to a question we asked about the current status of the Arnos Park river scheme:

“1. At present, the next stage of engagement has not yet been determined. The project remains at feasibility stage while further work is carried out to understand the potential flood risk benefits and wider impacts. Once this is complete, we will be able to confirm how the engagement programme will resume and the likely timeframe.

2. A full public consultation on design options will only take place once the engagement process has been completed and a preferred option, or options, have been identified.”

So the river scheme has not gone away and we must all be ready to take part in the Council’s engagement programme, whenever that might be.

In the meantime, please continue to let the Council know your views by emailing them at [email protected]

It is worth reminding the Council that a) 1,104 local people have signed a petition calling on them to abandon this scheme and b) park users would be firmly in favour of restoring the river in its existing location i.e. RIVER RESTORATION NOT RELOCATION.

09/08/2025

After cancelling their invite-only engagement event on 26-Jun-25, Enfield Council sent a document to some of the invitees, which was to have been discussed at that event. In it, they attempted to answer criticisms of their proposed river scheme.

APPS finds this document completely unconvincing and has responded accordingly - see our comments on this link:

07/08/2025

Enfield Council failed to check the legality of their proposed Arnos Park river scheme before starting a £60K feasibility study (funded by the Environment Agency). See APPS' press release for more details.

30/07/2025

APPS CHALLENGES PYMMES BROOKERS FAQS (NO 20 – LAST IN SERIES)

Pymmes Brookers (Pbers) recently circulated FAQs about the river scheme. Arnos Park Preservation Society (APPS) is challenging their claims in a series of Facebook posts.

30/07/2025

APPS CHALLENGES PYMMES BROOKERS FAQS (NO 19 IN SERIES)

Pymmes Brookers (Pbers) recently circulated FAQs about the river scheme. Arnos Park Preservation Society (APPS) is challenging their claims in a series of Facebook posts.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y8jvSTjTZGC6uIjucXv51Q9Bpytjsj2W/view?usp=sharing

29/07/2025

APPS CHALLENGES PYMMES BROOKERS FAQS (NO 18 IN SERIES)

Pymmes Brookers (Pbers) recently circulated FAQs about the river scheme. Arnos Park Preservation Society (APPS) is challenging their claims in a series of Facebook posts.