Pool shut in heatwave may open early this summer

A city paddling pool could open for a longer season after "frustration" it was closed during the bank holiday heatwave.

Peterborough City Council said it was "actively seeking" ways to open the pool in the city's Central Park earlier this summer, following previous cutbacks to its seasonal opening hours.

Tony Forster, chair of the Friends of Central Park, said he "sees and shares" people's frustrations that the pool was shut while temperatures eclipsed 30C (86F) during the weekend.

Paul Bristow, mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said it was "important" the facility was available when needed, after finding it closed while trying to visit with his daughters.

The pool's season previously ran from 1 May to 30 September, but was reduced to July and August after a series of problems and budget cuts.

The pool was shut in August 2023 due to traces of Legionella bacteria and again in August 2024 due to a faulty pump.

Zameer Ali, Peterborough City Council's cabinet member for communities and safety, said the authority was "reviewing the potential costs and practicalities of extending the season in future years so that residents can benefit more during periods of warmer weather".

"We are actively seeking ways to open this year's paddling pool season earlier than originally scheduled, particularly during periods of extremely hot weather, which we are seeing more frequently," he added.

Forster said he recognised the council's need for "balance" between services and cost saving, as a member of staff had to be made available to supervise the pool during opening hours and it was drained and filtered every night.

He said the authority moved the pump from underneath the pool to its side last year to make maintenance easier, and that the friends group "values and appreciates" the authority's commitment to the pool.

But it was "frustrating when we have weather like we've had over the bank holiday and the pool is shut", he added.

Bristow said "paid facilities are not an option for every family", in a letter to Peterborough City Council calling for a review of the pool's opening hours.

The city's art deco lido charges for entry, while the Central Park paddling pool is free to use.

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