Tinside pool shut on opening day as sea water crashes over wall
Plymouth's Tinside pool, which was due to open this morning, is to remain shut due to today's stormy weather, say Plymouth City Council.
The pool on the waterfront has been significantly flooded by seawater, which breached the walls of the lido, into the pool itself.
A council spokesperson said: "The pool will have to be drained entirely, cleaned out and then refilled before the public will be able to use it."
Tinside was due to reopen today after tests confirmed waters to be safe.
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Last weekend Plymouth City Council’s deputy leader, Councillor Peter Smith, took the decision to postpone the summer opening of the popular attractions after concerns that algae in the sea would pose a threat to people’s health.
Cllr Peter Smith, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture today said: “The pool was totally submerged in seawater. The pool has been known to flood in stormy weather in the winter, but it is quite unusual to have this happen in the summer."
While marine scientists in Plymouth moved to allay fears stating that the plankton is “harmless” and “not toxic”, Cllr Smith closed the seafront lido – which is filled with water from the Sound – after receiving conflicting advice from the Environment Agency and the Health Protection Agency.
But yesterday PCC confirmed water tests showed the algae was ‘no longer considered a health risk’.
“The opening of the pools was delayed over the Bank Holiday weekend due to uncertainties over possible health risks associated with the algal bloom in the Sound,” said a spokesperson for Plymouth City Council.
Plymouth City Council, the Environment Agency and the Health Protection Agency issued advice about the possible health effects of the bloom last Friday.
PCC added: “The rain and wind has led to the algal bloom within the Sound dispersing naturally. Analysis of samples today confirm that there is now ‘no evidence of a harmful bloom’ or any risk to human health.”
Mount Wise Pool has not been affected.
Comments
by PL1Plym
Saturday, June 09 2012, 9:03AM
“So no chance of a dip then?
@notamistake. SO how could you have a retractable roof strong enough to withstand a battering like this without a substantial framework which would have to be permanent to support it. I'm no engineer but I'm guessing it would be big and look out of place in an "art deco" lido?”
by leroc
Saturday, June 09 2012, 8:31AM
“Most of the usual moaners present in this column - as usual! Get a life.”
by beerbarian
Saturday, June 09 2012, 7:00AM
“Wow that means the massive 20 quid the pool would have made is gone. What is the Hoe seafront going to offer to make money now. A tragic loss to the city and all the tourists will now miss the main attraction.”
by Strongbowman
Friday, June 08 2012, 8:55PM
“So three words then 'nubnub'?”
by pogle63
Friday, June 08 2012, 2:41PM
“@sadperson yeah really I should imagine the risk of infection will be significantly higher after the pool full of seawater has been bathed in by hundreds and hundreds of sweaty bathers - after a week it will be more urine than saline.
As for putting a roof on the place its is a good idea but not very practical as the sea would smash it to peices or corrode the heck out of it.”
by olddogbreath
Friday, June 08 2012, 2:20PM
“Saves using the filters and you can now swim in the sea but not be in the open sea. Just like the little pools were in the foreshore a few years ago. Just need a tree to end up there and then the diving boards would be back.”
by bob_baty
Friday, June 08 2012, 2:08PM
“This is not a problem, we can all pay to get in 'our' Life Centre.
If it is not in use by an upcountry swimming club, that is.”
by nubnub
Friday, June 08 2012, 1:36PM
“One word: What a joke.”
by sadperson
Friday, June 08 2012, 1:26PM
“@ pogle63
It might only be sea water but at least it's sea water with the sh*t taken out of it.”
by shipmateron
Friday, June 08 2012, 1:23PM
“Why didn't they just open up to surfers? Lateral thinking brings in business.”