Ealing Liberal Democrats have called for Councillor Paul Driscoll, the cabinet member for climate action at Labour-run Ealing Council, to resign over the handling of a delayed and controversial flood prevention project at Lammas Park.
In an open letter, the Liberal Democrat opposition leader Councillor Gary Malcolm said residents had “lost faith” in the management of the sustainable drainage (SuDS) scheme, which has been under construction for around two years.
The project, intended to reduce flooding by creating areas where rainwater can collect and drain naturally, has left large sections of the South Ealing park closed or out of use during the works.
Councillor Malcolm said residents in the Walpole and Northfield wards had repeatedly raised concerns about the scheme’s progress and its impact on Lammas Park.
In his letter to Councillor Driscoll, Councillor Gary Malcolm said: “Anyone reading local social media groups or speaking to residents can see and hear their frustrations. Parents are worried about the safety of their children using the park, large sections of the park closed or out of use, planning permission not sought when needed and the project is still not completed after about two years of work.”
The Liberal Democrats have also called for an independent review of the project to examine how it was managed and to prevent similar problems with future schemes.
Councillor Malcolm said the project had failed to meet its primary aim of reducing flooding despite costing about £725,000. He also criticised what he described as attempts to rebrand the scheme as a “wetland”, saying the move had angered residents.
Councillor Gary Malcolm said: “As the portfolio holder who has responsibility for managing our parks, you have mismanaged the project and ruined a well-loved park as a result. I therefore expect you to take responsibility, apologise and resign from your position.”
He added that residents were “desperate to have their park back in full use”.
Ealing Council and Ealing Labour has been approached for comment.
