The next major phase of the Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal lake conservation project near Ripon, North Yorkshire begins this week.

Severe disruption is expected within the deer park and lakeside of the National Trust estate during the five week period of silt removal from the lake. Contractors J N Bentley will be using heavy vehicles to transport the silt through the park to nearby farmland from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday.

During this time, traffic controls will be in place and long delays are anticipated for anyone wishing to park at the lakeside, therefore visitors are strongly encouraged to park at the Visitor Centre.

Public access to the lakeside will not be prevented, and a temporary car park will be available in the field at the entrance into the deer park from Studley Roger village.  

Pedestrian access through the estate will not be affected and the tearoom at Studley Royal will remain open as usual. 

The aim of the Studley Lake project is to improve the water quality, repair existing features and reinstate lost features in the landscape. Once the silt is removed, the views in and out of the Water Garden designed by the garden’s creator John Aislabie will be restored, and the water flow will no longer be obstructed by the mounting silt. 

ENDS

PRESS CONTACT
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: contact Alexa Morton, Visitor Experience and Marketing Manager, Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, Estate Office, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 3DY.  Tel 01765 643199 Fax 01765 601002 Email alexa.morton@nationaltrust.org.uk