Platforms – River Wey

Background Information

The Phillips Memorial Park is located in the centre of Godalming, Surrey, and is made up of several distinct areas of land running east to west along the River Wey. Waverley Borough Council secured a Parks for People grant through the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund in 2011 to improve facilities within the park and the surrounding areas.

Scope of the Project

As part of the more extensive improved access project around Phillips Memorial Park, the works aimed to construct and install two birds feeding/fishing platforms adjacent to the River Wey. This would add to the attractiveness of the park increasing safety for park users wishing to fish on the river or feed the birds in this favourite urban spot. The project was planned and delivered to minimising disturbance while still providing safe access to this heavily used public space.

Our Solution

Our in-house design team designed two fishing/bird feeding platforms, approved by Waverley Borough Council and the Environment Agency for installation along the River Wey at Phillips Memorial Park.

It was imperative that the new platforms were in keeping with the current style of park furniture already in use as not to look out of place. Location was essential to utilise areas of heavy foot traffic and public pressure where bank erosion from bird feeding and dog access had been frequent in the past.

Throwing lines and interpretation boards were installed next to the platforms for added safety and to inform users about the correct food for waterfowl.

The platforms were 3.8m x 1.8m and made of a pressure treated softwood frame, attached to oak legs with an anti-slip hardwood decking. We added wooden handrails for the safety of its users.