Plans for fountain at Tweedbank pond causes waves

Posted 6th October 2011

Published 4 Oct 2011

A LOCAL restaurant owner this week voiced his support for proposals to build a fountain on the pond at Tweedbank.

Sandy Craig, who runs Herges on the Loch, refloated the idea - which has previously been rejected by community councillors - following complaints over the growing appearance of the potentially harmful blue-green algae on Gunknowe Loch.

He revealed installing a fountain could help the water circulate and kill off the unsightly blooms, as well as become a visitor attraction.

However, at Tweedbank Community Council's monthly meeting in the community centre last week, members heard it could become choked with weeds and prove costly and there was no guarantee it would work.

Community councillor Dougie Waterson said: "I think something should be done because the pond is the centrepiece of Tweedbank and everybody goes there." And he added: "It looks terrible at the moment."

The meeting heard Scottish Borders Council, which is responsible for managing the man-made pond, was investigating plans to install a wind powered water pump at the pond at a cost of around £7000.

However, local Councillor David Parker - the authority's leader - claimed the algae will disappear within weeks when night time temperatures drop below nine degrees Celsius.

Community council chairman John Cavaroli said: "The problem is we have looked at this for donkeys years and we have still not found the perfect solution."

Article courtesy of The Border Telegraph