THE long wait for a lift to get disabled swimmers down to Tinside Pool finally comes to an end today.

The new lift is open to the public from today, six weeks late.

Plymouth City Council blamed 'unforeseen and unresolved technical difficulties' for its failure to open the lift in time for the start of the pool's summer season.

Disabled swimmers have waited six years for permanent access to be installed at the 1933 Art Deco lido – and said earlier this month that they were not altogether surprised by the delay.

Bruce Abbott, a seasoned campaigner for the rights of the disabled and a member of Plymouth's Disability Action Network, said the council had not kept disabled people updated on the lift's progress, or the lack of it.

"It raises questions as to competence or commitment, or both," Mr Abbott said.

Workmen began installing the long-delayed lift on December 1 – more than five years after the pool was reopened.

The lift was supposed to start running in May, at the start of the summer season, but after it was plagued by delays the council vowed to open it on June 6.

The lift, which cost £550,000, is designed to provide easy access to and from the pool for people with disabilities as well as those with children in prams and pushchairs.

There is a short, flat walkway from the upper Esplanade on Hoe Road to the lift, which will take swimmers straight down to the pool entrance.

There is also a spiral staircase from the lower level of the Esplanade to the lido.

The lift was designed in consultation with English Heritage and reflects the architectural style of the Grade II-listed lido and colonnade.

Cllr Glenn Jordan, the Cabinet member for leisure, culture and sport, said: "We're delighted to finally open the new lift at Tinside, which we know has been long awaited by swimmers. It will make a big difference to people with mobility problems, as well as families with young children.

"We would like to apologise again for the delay in getting the lift up and running and thank swimmers for bearing with us while work was being carried out."

Tinside is open every day from midday until 6pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 6pm at weekends. It will be open from 10am every day during the school holidays. Late-evening sessions run on Wednesdays.

Last year's washout summer meant just 6,999 people used the pool during the season, from May 24 to September 7 – the worst year since the pool reopened in 2003 after a £4million makeover.

Visitor numbers reached more than 24,000 in 2006 and 30,000 in 2005. Original estimates when the lido first opened were for 30,000 swimmers a year.