A reservoir path will stay open to the public after a legal agreement was reached between the reservoir's private owners and Hertfordshire County Council.

Walkers were left 'devastated' when fencing and gates were installed at Aldenham Reservoir in 2020 that partially restricted access.

However, a councillor says owners Jewel of Hertsmere Ltd have been told to keep the gates unlocked and remove them by the end of the year.

Watling Conservative county councillor Caroline Clapper said: "Following numerous discussions, we have reached formal agreement with the owners of the reservoir.

"The footpath will now remain fully open and the owners will not be allowed to erect any further fencing."

Borehamwood Times: Cllr Caroline Clapper pictured at the reservoir shortly after the fencing was installedCllr Caroline Clapper pictured at the reservoir shortly after the fencing was installed (Image: Caroline Clapper)

When the fencing was installed, the county council warned the owners they were "breaching a covenant". Co-owner Mahesh Gosrani gave a list of reasons for the fencing including to keep people, dogs, and litter away from the water.

Although the fencing remained, the gate has stayed open and access around the entirety of the lake will now be permanent.

Cllr Clapper added: "This is one of the best solutions we could have reached, and stops the threat of closing the footpath again, or fencing off the reservoir altogether."

The politician thanked the council and Labour group leader Cllr Jeremy Newmark for their work on securing the agreement.

Borehamwood Times: A gate initially prevented public access to one side of the reservoirA gate initially prevented public access to one side of the reservoir

Earlier this year, the Tory, Labour, and Liberal Democrat parties in Hertsmere united and called for a solution to the "continuous, systemic neglect" of the reservoir in Elstree.

Members of the council agreed at January's meeting that the future of the reservoir had "never looked so bleak" in its 225-year history with councillors calling on Hertsmere Borough Council to "explore all possible options" which includes a compulsory purchase order.

Borehamwood Times: A picture of Aldenham Reservoir previously after drainingA picture of Aldenham Reservoir previously after draining

Labour councillor Dan Ozarow, who is also part of the Save Aldenham Reservoir campaign group, said the footpath news is "fantastic" but warned there is still "plenty of work to do" and called for the owners to stop the "senseless" draining of the reservoir.

Jewel of Hertsmere Ltd, formerly Liberty Lake Leisure Ltd, has been draining the reservoir since 2019 due to concerns it has about the state of the dam wall. The owners have said the site they bought for a reported £50,000 in 2016 is not for sale and said it needs to raise money to pay for dam repairs - thought to be £5 million.

Attempts to raise money by developing land near the reservoir or on green belt land they own in Elstree have been rejected by the council.

Borehamwood Times: The dam wall in 2019The dam wall in 2019

The drainage has caused concern for the welfare of wildlife both above and below the water and forced Aldenham Sailing Club to depart after 80 years.

Cllr Ozarow said: "For my part I shall continue to work alongside Caroline [Clapper] and [Lib Dem group leader] Cllr Jerry Evans in our all party group that is exploring long-term solutions to protect our reservoir in the public interest."

Borehamwood Times: Aldenham Reservoir in March 2022Aldenham Reservoir in March 2022 (Image: Newsquest)

However, a visit to the reservoir in March did reveal the site and its surroundings appeared to look in a better condition than it has done in recent months and years.

To read more about the recent history of the reservoir search for "Aldenham Reservoir" (including quote marks) on our website.