Toilets, wetland trail and new bandstand planned for Trowbridge

Councillors also hope that work on restoring the park’s decaying Art Deco Bandstand will start next year.

The council’s Neighbourhood Services Committee voted on Tuesday to recommend the works, which could cost more than £670,000 over the next few years.

The plans will now go to the Policy & Resources Committee on Tuesday, January 9 before being approved by full council on Tuesday, January 16.

The plan is to restore the Art Deco Bandstand in the town park to its former glory. Photo: Trevor Porter 70028-2 (Image: Trevor Porter 70028-2)

Working group chair and town mayor Stephen Cooper said: “We are making progress. I understand how much people in Trowbridge want to see the assets and facilities in the park improved.

“Funds are tight at the moment with so much to do but we have made a priority of getting the new toilets installed and we are very hopeful that the pond and bandstand will be getting a new lease of life next year too.

“Thank you to all the residents who have made suggestions about the park.  I’m sorry we can’t implement all of them but we have considered everything that people have raised and come up with the solutions we feel are the most beneficial and affordable.”

The proposed new £89,500 timber-clad three-unit toilet block would be located in the centre of the park close to the tennis courts and refreshment kiosk.  One of the three units would be accessible for use by people with disabilities.

Cllr Cooper said: “We looked at all suggestions made. Some were unaffordable, such as a unique, architect-designed block while some were too basic, such as pre-owned or ‘Portacabin-style loos.”

The dilapidated concrete in the town park bandstand needs to be repaired. (Image: Antonio Piazza)

The working group have proposed phasing work to refurbish the bandstand to spread the likely £230,000 costs over time. The proposed first phase will make the bandstand watertight, with repairs to its concrete walls as well as its roof, guttering and windows.

One of the rooms at the back of the bandstand will be improved so that it can be used as a restroom by the Neighbourhood Services Team whose equipment store is next door.

It is hoped to have a detailed quotation ready in January for the Policy & Resources Committee, Cllr Cooper said.

Trowbridge town pond could be transformed into a wildlife and wetland area with a nature trail through it. (Image: Freelancer)

Earlier this year, the estimated cost of repairing the pond lining was around £300,000 but this idea seems to have been dropped in favour of re-routing Paxcroft Brook to create a wetland area.

The working group is proposing the council examine ideas from Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and others to re-work the pond area to create a wildlife and nature trail.

Options to be explored include removing the brickwork culvert, allowing the Paxcroft Brook to meander through the existing area occupied by the artificial pond and installing a boardwalk over the wetland area. 

Cllr Cooper said: “Officers and councillors hope that if plans to re-model the pond as a biodiversity asset are developed, then further funding might be available from government or other sources, thus saving Trowbridge taxpayers’ money.”

Plans to restore the pond to its former use as an ornamental pond and model boating lake were judged unaffordable when the council is battling inflation as well as taking on services such as street cleaning and grass cutting from Wiltshire Council.    

Cllr Cooper added: “Suggestions for a skate park, splashpad or ornamental water feature were reluctantly dismissed due to the flood risk in the area.

“Grassing over the entire area was not possible if the current watercourses of the River Biss and Paxcroft Brook were to remain unchanged as advised by the Environment Agency.”