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Fresh bid to solve leaking boating pond mystery

Giancarlo RinaldiSouth Scotland reporter
News imageBBC A look across Moffat boating pond with some water in the foreground but large dry patches. There are trees in the distance and the boating hut where visitors used to pay to get on the pedal boats.BBC
The cost of completely relining the pond could run to as much as £380,000

A fresh round of investigation work is to attempt to solve the mystery of a water leak which has left a Victorian boating pond in southern Scotland high and dry.

There have been ongoing issues at the attraction in the tourist town of Moffat since a section of the wall surrounding it collapsed more than three years ago.

It has been a source of frustration for locals and visitors alike with a long-term solution proving difficult to find.

A new report to Dumfries and Galloway Council - which manages the park - has now suggested a range of options to try to return the facility to its former glory.

News imageA boating pond full of water with pedal boats - one shaped like a swan - floating across the water. There are lots of large trees on the shoreline.
The site has been an important attraction for visitors to the town for decades

Some repair work has already been carried out at a cost of £35,000 but without success.

Despite efforts to top up the water from the nearby River Annan it has proved impossible to provide a reliable service.

A refill attempted last year found water was still escaping and an independent investigation has now been carried out into the cause.

Consultants have identified that tree roots and ground movement are the mostly likely reason for the leak and have recommended a phased approach to seeking a solution.

News imageA large expanse of rubble across where there was once a boating pond
The Moffat boating pond has been out of commission for a number of years

The local authority's environment and infrastructure committee is being asked to approve further investigative work in the south-west corner of the pond and other identified "risk areas".

A trial application of a "leak-sealing product" is also being advised.

However, a full pond liner - which would provide the "highest level of certainty" - is not being recommended due to a cost of up to £380,000, with no funding available to cover the work.

A report to councillors said that was "not considered proportionate" at this stage and a phased approach would represent better value for money.

It warned that failure to investigate the water loss could result in "further deterioration" of the pond, increased repair costs or even the loss of the boating pond as a recreational facility entirely.

News imageA sign saying Station Park above a gateway with people milling around underneath and a large expanse of green grass in front of them and benches dotted around with a playpark in the distance
A report warns that the pond could be lost for good if repair work is not carried out
News imageHeritage Service, Dumfries and Galloway Council An old view of the pond in MoffatHeritage Service, Dumfries and Galloway Council
The pond has been an attraction for visitors since Victorian times

Residents previously highlighted the situation via BBC Your Voice where people can suggest stories they feel should be reported.

They said Moffat used to pride itself on being a "jewel in the crown" of the region but now too many people were just driving past.

Visitors, too, described the pond as being left looking "a little bit sad".