Records relating to the construction of the Monkswood Reservoir

In 1891 the Corporation once again found it needed an increased supply of water; plans were advanced to purchase further springs in the St. Catherine's Valley, agreements were entered into with land owners, and an application to the Local Government Board was made to sanction the borrowing of £17,650. This application faced notable opposition on the grounds that it was a very significant expense for limited gain, the Local Government Board Inspector who conducted the enquiry into the borrowing of £17,650 recommended that the Corporation develop a water storage solution instead of acquiring more springs.
In 1893 the corporation began work to create a new reservoir at Monkswood to hold 50,000,000 gallons, adjoining the previous Monkswood Reservoir created in the early 1870s. An application to the Local Government Board for sanction to borrow £30,000 for the construction was made and approved. Messrs Neave & Son of London were contracted to undertake the construction works, which began in 1894 and finished in 1897.
These records contain: agreements with Landowners; Engineer's reports; applications to the Local government Board and associated correspondence and documents; public notices; legal briefs; tenders, schedules and specification for the construction of the reservoir; location plans; correspondence with the contractor regarding the construction; monthly reports of work done and payments made; correspondence and court papers relating to a dispute with the Contractor over payment.