Great Dunmow Town Council recognises that tensions have been high in recent weeks around the Christmas lights and festive plans for this year. This comes from one simple fact: people care deeply about this town. The Council, the Town Team, local businesses, residents and community groups are all passionate about making Dunmow special and it is because of that passion that emotions have sometimes run high.

Today, Council representatives met with the leader of the Town Team, and we agreed to take a step back, bring the temperature down, and reset our approach in the true spirit of Christmas. Our shared goal is to foster community spirit, bring festive cheer, and ensure Dunmow is the place to be this Christmas.

The independent safety report confirmed that the existing infrastructure in the High Street has failed and cannot be used for cross street displays. While this is disappointing, it also provides us with the opportunity to look creatively at the gaps in festive lighting across the town and to work collaboratively to find solutions. Council officers are now reviewing options and will be bringing forward proposals next week to both Council and the Town Team.

The Council has committed record levels of investment £223,992.40 over the next five years into Christmas lights and festive activities. This year’s scheme includes new displays at Doctors Pond, the Market Place and across key gateways into the town. Alongside this, we will be delivering weekend events and attractions, including Santa’s Grotto, food and drink stalls, and festive activities for families.

Further meetings will also take place next week with local businesses to look specifically at how footfall can be increased and how our shops can be best supported this Christmas. The aim is to ensure that local traders benefit from the additional visitors who will be coming into Dunmow to enjoy the festive atmosphere, spend time with friends and family, and shop locally.
The result will be a free to enter winter wonderland for the whole community, one of the best in the South East of England. By working together, we can create something that not only looks spectacular but also brings people together and supports local businesses at the most important time of year.

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With improved weather conditions expected, the contractor will be working throughout the weekend. This should help progress despite the previously saturated ground on the Downs.

As a result, the contractor`s current estimated exit date has been adjusted slightly to Wednesday 19th February.

Despite the inclement weather at the start of the week, great progress has been made to restore levels and get areas ready for topsoil and reseeding next week.

Heavy machinery and some remaining excavation spoil will be removed early next week before tarmac pathways will be re-laid. The fencing will be reconfigured to protect newly seeded areas and then the Downs will be reopened to pedestrian traffic.

The Doctors Pond working group meets next week to commence consideration of a plan to return areas of marginal and deep water planting and create a timeline for future works.

It is wonderful to see the Doctors Pond refilling (as demonstrated in the photo) as the work to desilt the pond and associated remedial works have been completed.

By the time that all the silt has been disposed of, it is estimated that in excess of 1900 cubic metres of capacity has been added to the pond. To date, 109 lorries have ferried silt away and this will continue into next week.

The fencing has continued to be removed during the week as our contractor returns more areas to the public.

Repairs to public areas damaged during the works are in progress, with new paths and hardstandings in construction. Next week the levels on the Downs will be restored, grass areas seeded and the memorial benches re-installed.

The Town Council was pleased to see 42 residents at their meeting on Monday and were grateful to those that took the time to express their thoughts on this project. At the extra-ordinary Full Council meeting on Monday members voted:

• to appoint an independent specialist to assess the work undertaken by the contractor at the Doctors Pond, to provide independent reassurance
• to appoint a landscaping consultant to advise the Town Council on the restoration of the Downs to provide independent reassurance

The independent specialist and landscaping consultant have both attended on site with the Town Clerk and the Operations Manager, and spoken with the site manager.

We are pleased to report that both are happy with the work undertaken by the contractor and will be providing written reports confirming their findings in due course.

Great Dunmow Town Council is committed to keeping residents informed and updated regarding the ongoing works to desilt and repair the Doctors Pond.

Unfortunately during these essential works, the contractor`s excavator has sunk and become embedded in the silt.

We wish to reassure residents that every effort is being made to resolve the situation as quickly and safely as possible.

Experts are scheduled to attend the site tomorrow to assess the situation and prioritise the safe removal of the excavator.

The safety of all personnel involved and the preservation of the surrounding environment remain our top priorities. The Town Council is working closely with contractors and specialists to
minimise any potential disruptions.

We understand the concerns that this may raise and would like to thank residents for their patience and understanding while we address this unexpected development.

Further updates will be provided as soon as new information becomes available.