Once upon a time there was a large forest which covered most of the Enfield Borough, and was a Royal hunting ground called the Enfield Chase. In the late 18th century it was disbanded as a formal entity, and then rapidly converted to farmland. Some of it still exists in the Trent Country Park, and the Boxers lake area.
In 2020 Enfield Council proposed reforesting some of the area. The plan entailed creating new woodlands on agricultural land surrendered by local tenant farmers, and would stretch from Trent Country Park to Hilly Fields park. The area would have many benefits:
- New publicly accessible parkland
- Protection of the greenbelt
- Improvement of the London Loop path
- Natural flood management
The London Loop path previously hugged the edge of fields, and was often impassable in the winter months without serious wellys (or waders!). The new project would move the path to weave between the new tree planting, and create a firm footing with aggregate and hoggin clay. The path was wide enough to allow woodland rangers to access the site with their vehicles, and gave a good surface for cyclists, pushchairs and wheelchair users.
Alongside the path spaces were provided for seating, and footpath signs pointing out the different paths.
The woodland would reach along the edges of Salmons Brook and Turkey Brook. Agricultural land would allow heavy rainfalls to flow over the surface and rapidly enter the brooks. This rapid inundation of water would leave to a heavy surge downstream leading to flooding. Once the trees are mature, the roots and the leaf litter would create a more permeable surface, absorbing water rather than allowing surface runoff. With the trees also providing breaks to the water, this would slow the water reaching the brooks, and so reduce the surge downstream. Additionally, ponds were created along the route, which also act as breaking points for the water. This natural approach to flood management has many advantages, not least of which are the habitational support of wildlife, and the sequestration of carbon.
By 2022, 100,000 trees had been planted over an area of 50 hectares. It will be some years before the trees reach maturity and have the full benefit to flood management, but already the ground is supporting a wide range of wildflowers, and the faster growing trees already outstretching their guards. With the ponds already in place, the project will already be helping alleviate flooding.
