Council killjoys say seaside paddling pools loved by generations must stay closed this Bank Holiday weekend – in case children slip over
- Conwy Council in North Wales has decided to close its popular outdoor pools
A killjoy council has decided to close its much-loved seaside paddling pools this Bank Holiday weekend because they are worried children might slip over.
Conwy Council in North Wales has decided not to fill its popular outdoor pools, used by thousands of children over many generations.
The announcement was made just days before the May Bank Holiday weekend and the King’s Coronation weekend that is taking place the following week.
The Welsh council has insisted the move was necessary because it had not been able to cover the pool area in anti-slip coatings in time.
One furious father, who asked to remain anonymous, slammed the council for not being able to ‘train their own staff’ to allow for the pool to open as usual.
Conwy Council in North Wales has decided not to fill its popular outdoor pools, used by thousands of children over many generations. Pictured is Llandudno Paddling Pool
He said: ‘This is health and safety madness. These pools have been used for decades by generations of families.
‘Why can’t these killjoys train their own staff to do the work.’
Another furious woman on Facebook said: ‘Disgraceful – put taxes up then give us less services.’
A third said: ‘Most councils looking to save money. Probably an excuse to close such facilities to do so.’
Coast café bar and gift shop, located near to the Llandudno paddling pool, one the largest outdoor pools in Wales, said: ‘We are saddened by the news from the local council, but we wait in hope that something is sorted in time for summer for the community of Llandudno and North Wales as a whole.’
It added that it would still be reopening in the coming weeks despite the pool closures.
Others speculated that this could mean the pools do not open for the rest of the season.
A petition has since been set up to ‘Save Our Paddling Pools’, which reads: ‘The absence of water in the paddling pools is not only a sign of a dry summer, but also the lack of consideration for the joy and well-being of the community.
‘A community’s outcry should never fall on deaf ears, for it is the responsibility of those in power to ensure the basic needs and desires of the public are met.’
The appeal noted that after a 10 per cent hike in council tax, the council bosses had ‘decided to punish’ the ‘youngest members of society and deprive them’ by closing the pools.
It called on the council to fill the pools as soon as possible.
Another upset local said: ‘Generations of children. including my now grown-up son’s and their children loved playing in that pool.
‘A lot of kids are going to be disappointed this summer.’
A spokesperson for the council said: ‘We’re very sorry to announce that our paddling pools at Craig y Don in Llandudno, Llanfairfechan, Penmaenmawr and Rhos on Sea won’t be opening as normal in May this year.
‘We recently carried out a full safety audit of all our sites, which found some areas to be high slip risk.
‘We planned to carry out some work to apply a specialist anti-slip coating to the surfaces, but unfortunately the only UK provider and installer is now unable to carry out the work due to sudden ill health.
‘We are urgently trying to find an alternative solution or training for another contractor to carry out this essential health and safety work.’
Charlie McCoubrey, leader of Conwy Council, said: ‘We know our paddling pools are hugely popular and we’re doing all we can to resolve the situation.
‘We realise how disappointing this will be for people living in and visiting our beautiful county, but the safety of children and families using our paddling pools is our priority.’
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