Kirklees Council has announced that the paddling pool which has been shut for two years, at Greenhead Park will be unable to open this summer as planned.
System testing of the pool, which is a legal requirement, took place earlier this month. Unfortunately, initial test results have failed which means the pool cannot be opened safely even when chemically treated as per an approved treatment schedule.
Additionally Kirklees, along with the majority of England, has experienced exceptionally dry weather over recent months. With the announcement of a hosepipe ban last week by Yorkshire Water, which comes into force on 26 August, and the drought status declared on Tuesday by the Environment Agency, even if test results had passed the council would not be in a position to fill the pool for reopening.
The paddling pool is not the only thing affected by the hosepipe and drought status announcements. Washing of council vehicles will halt with the exception of bin wagons and highway maintenance vehicles. The hosepipe ban will also mean bedding plants and trees planted around the district will not be watered, so residents may see trees start to lose their leaves as they go into drought mode and bedding plants die off.
Parks teams will also monitor water levels at ponds in the district’s parks to ensure they don’t drop to levels which would endanger the wildlife that live there, taking appropriate action if this was to happen.
Cllr Naheed Mather, Cabinet Member for Environment said, “I am disappointed the paddling pool will not be able to open this summer. However, the health and safety of those using it are paramount as well as the preservation of our precious water supply.”
“We must do everything we can to reduce our water usage and be more mindful of when and how we use our water,” he added.
Greenhead Park opened in September 1884 and is now over 130 years old. The park has always been popular with local people, both young and old and the features and events within the park have attracted people from miles around.
