The recent bad weather has brought good news to the London Borough of Merton. Conservationists have been waiting for the skies to open and fill Cannon Hill Common Lake with rainwater in the final stage of a regeneration process.

Fish were removed from the lake in January and dredging work undertaken to improve water quality and biodiversity. Since then, marginal plants and reed beds have been planted to create breeding areas and encourage invertebrates. Some of the overhanging trees have been also been trimmed in order to reduce shading and the number of leaves falling into the lake.

Over the next few months Tench, Carp and Dace will be returned and benefit from the deep and cool water created by the silt removal.

This work was made possible by funding and assistance from the Heritage Lottery, London Borough of Merton, Groundwork Merton and the Friends of Cannon Hill Common.

Councillor Tariq Ahmad, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Traffic Management with responsibility for parks, says: “It is very good to see that the restoration works have been successfully completed. This is an example of the council working in partnership to enhance biodiversity and improve the local environment for residents.”