📜Campaign History
Learn more about the history of the Nunhead Reservoir campaign.
Last updated
Learn more about the history of the Nunhead Reservoir campaign.
Last updated
The Nunhead Reservoir campaign has become a story of true grit, where the locals haven't stopped fighting for a slice of green in the heart of London.
Started by Rosanna Thompson, the goal was simple: get the Reservoir back as a spot for everyone to enjoy, just like before it was all fenced up. Rosanna’s early moves brought people together, showing that this place could be more than just a reservoir; it could be where folks meet, relax, and have a good time.
Yet, it's not been easy. Thames Water put up a massive fence that didn’t just keep people out; it sent a message that this place wasn’t for the public anymore. This struck a nerve, especially since over at Honor Oak, a similar reservoir doubles as a golf club, showing that access to green spaces isn’t the same for everyone.
In 2016, Thames Water offered a public apology for not consulting the community about the new, more secure fencing around Nunhead Reservoir.
Acknowledging the significant role the Reservoir plays in providing crucial drinking water and thus the need for heightened security measures as per government directives, Thames Water also reassured customers that Honor Oak's leased land, used as a golf course, remained unaffected.
Intent on making amends and despite a desire expressed to enable public access, significant progress to this end has unfortunately been limited.
Nearly 7,000 people said "sign me up" to the original petition to tear down the barriers, but Thames Water didn’t budge, saying they had to keep the water safe and the site secure.
Jamie Bykov-Brett stepped in to keep the campaign alive after Rosanna left for Bristol.
Jamie has been in communication with Thames Water since August 2022 and tried to get things moving, but hit wall after wall.
Thames Water was changing things up internally, and the site had its own issues, all of which slowed things right down.
These are the reasons for the lack of progress Thames Water have given since August 2022.
Team Restructuring and Loss of Staff: A significant team restructure led to the loss of key team members. This unexpected change affected the team's capacity to organise events and manage their usual tasks efficiently.
Resource Reduction: The restructuring also resulted in reduced resources, complicating the planning and execution of additional activities or events.
Operational Priorities Taking Precedence: The operational nature of the site means that its primary functions take precedence over other activities, limiting the scope for hosting events.
External Pressures to Fix the Basics: Public pressure on Thames Water to prioritise basic services and infrastructure maintenance over other activities has been cited as a reason for limiting the number and scope of public events.
Availability of Operational Team Members: The requirement for operational team members to be present at any event limits the feasibility of organising such activities, as it could detract from their primary responsibilities.
Jamie has spoken local MPs and councillors on board but got little back in return.
Fast forward to 2024, and Jamie’s relaunch the campaign to try and build public awareness and pressure to get past the slow pace and the roadblocks that Thames Water’s been throwing up.
This battle for Nunhead Reservoir isn’t just about a fence. It's about the people's will to have places where they can come together, especially in a big city where space is gold dust.
The story of this campaign is one of not giving up – fighting to keep a community's dream alive, to turn a fenced-off reservoir into a lively hub for all to share.
It's a journey of not just persistence but passion, keeping the faith that one day, this local gem will be returned to the public where it belongs.
