ALMOST 30 tonnes of weed has been removed from Poole Park lake as the battle to manage this stinky scourge continues.

The overgrowth of weed and algae saw the weed harvesters, a familiar site on the lake in recent years, return for four days last week when they removed 29.17 tonnes of the stuff. This green waste has now gone to ECO Sustainable Solutions to be turned into compost.

While the rainy weather has meant the weed, which has turned the lake green in previous summers, was less visible - it remained under the surface, interfering with boating activities.

Removing as much as possible will also reduce the unpleasant odour released when the blanket weed begins to decompose - a stink which has blighted the park in previous years.

Martin Whitchurch, project manager, Borough of Poole, said: “Last week we removed a significant quantity of vegetation from Poole Park Lake to help reduce disruption to activities as well as improve the appearance of the lake. We are continuing with our research into factors which are affecting the water quality of the lake, with the aim of improving it for people and wildlife in the future.”

The year-long research by Bournemouth University continues to monitor different processes in and around the lake, linking in with other organisations such as Wessex Water and the Environment Agency where possible.

As part of the work Bournemouth University Global Environment Solutions (BUG) is sampling water quality every week over a 12-month period - a monitoring programme which forms part of the Poole Park Life bid to receive £2.9 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund to carry out improvements to the park.

Through the autumn results will continue to be assessed looking towards potential improvement schemes that can be included in the second stage of the Heritage Lottery Fund bid, due to be submitted in December next year.

Local residents can play their part in research too by posting photos and observations of the lake on the Facebook page - Poole Park Lakes - Public Engagement with Science - or joining the ‘Get Hands On in the Lake!’ event on Monday September 28 from 4pm and 7pm, when members of the public will be invited to get into the lake whilst it is being drained to help the research team carry out sediment sampling, species spotting and litter picking.