Have you ever looked out over a vast expanse of water and wondered how it got there? Well, you’re standing on the edge of one of the most fascinating stories of London’s water supply – the Queen Mary Reservoir.
Built in 1925, the Queen Mary Reservoir is a truly impressive feat of engineering and a vital part of London’s water infrastructure. It was named after Queen Consort Mary of Teck, a testament to the historical significance of the reservoir. The reservoir held a massive 6.7 billion gallons of water, enough to fill 10,000 Olympic-size swimming pools! It was truly one of the largest reservoirs in the world at that time.
The story of its construction is a captivating one too. The original plan was to build two reservoirs side-by-side. But then World War I intervened. The project was halted due to the need for Dick Kerr & Co. to construct munitions factories instead. This led to a lawsuit that wound up in the House of Lords – a battle that highlighted the importance of water supply even during wartime.
After the war, the project was resurrected, but not without its challenges. In 1920, during construction, it was discovered that a section of the embankment had to be moved to avoid a large area of quicksand! This resulted in the demolition of several houses and farm buildings that were in the way. In a gesture of compensation, the Metropolitan Water Board built twelve replacement cottages in New Road. These cottages stand today, a constant reminder of the impact of water infrastructure construction.
If you look closely at the Queen Mary Reservoir, you’re likely to see the Queen Mary Sailing Club out on the water. This sailing club is a popular spot for locals to enjoy a day on the reservoir. It’s a lovely reminder of the impact that this reservoir – a seemingly ordinary expanse of water – has had on the lives of the people of London over the decades.