Work set for £1.8m scheme

From the archive, first published Thursday 19th Apr 2001.

The £1.8m restoration of Leasowes Park has taken a step nearer completion as Dudley Council has given the go-ahead for investigations of the site.

Work on the Leasowes restoration project was suspended by the Heritage Lottery Fund last year following concerns about the long-term stability of the Beechwater and Leasowes Lane dams and its associated costs.

The dams are now being monitored on a regular basis to ensure there is no immediate safety risk and the council is reviewing the cost and timescale of the whole project at the historic park.

Further investigative work is also going to be carried out on the Leasowes Lane Road dam and the sites of the proposed obelisk and ruined priory.

A council spokesman said: "The work will involve the use of ground penetrating radar techniques at Leasowes Lane dam to `see' inside the dam structure.

"Small hand excavated trenches will also be dug at the dam, priory and obelisk sites.

"All the work will be fully re-instated to the council's satisfaction after the investigation is completed."

Public access to the park will not be restricted but Leasowes Lane will be closed to vehicular traffic while the excavations on the dam are done.

Survey work will also be carried out around the Priory Pool and the ruined priory but this will not affect residents.

For more information call Rupert Dugdale, Leasowes Project Manager, on 01384 815538.

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