Weston Super Mare Marine Lake re-opens Weston-super-Mare’s Marine Lake re-opens today (Wednesday 1 June) ready to be enjoyed by residents and visitors this summer.
Cllr John Crockford-Hawley, the council’s heritage champion, has been campaigning for the lake’s restoration over many years.
North Somerset Council has invested £300,000 in bringing the lake back into use as an outdoor swimming and watersports destination. The investment is part of the council's £700,000 'Great Lakes' project which also involves work to revitalise Clevedon's Marine Lake and Portishead Lake Grounds.
He said: “This outdoor seawater leisure lake opened in 1928 as part of several inter-war tourism projects. It was also a job creation scheme to help alleviate worsening unemployment when government was fearful of revolution during the General Strike.
"As with all such tidal projects it’s essential to keep up with regular maintenance and, after storm damage and a decade without investOver the past two months around 30,000 tonnes of compacted silt have been removed ment, it’s so pleasing to see our lake back from the lake by specialist contractors Smals in use for paddling and serious swimming, Dredging to create a suitable depth of water healthy family fun and simple beachside relaxation. I look forward to taking the plunge for swimming. Other improvements include new steps to help swimmers get in and out of once the temperature rises a degree or two!” the water. The council will continue to work closely with Cllr Mike Solomon, North Somerset Council’s consultants and the Mudlarks on the future arrangements for the restored lake, including executive member for neighbourhoods and the management of silt. community services, said: “Marine Lake is such an important attraction on Weston’s Claire Trevor-Roper, one of the directors of seafront. I'm delighted that this much-needthe Mudlarks, said: "The Marine Lake ed work to restore the lake means we once again have an all-year-round swimming and Mudlarks are pleased to continue to work watersports destination ready to be enjoyed with the council to regenerate Weston's lake. We will help with the periodic draining and again by both residents and visitors alike. cleaning of the lake - much like Clevedon - as well as regular litter picking with the Cleaner "Huge thanks must go to the volunteers of Coastlines team. the Weston Marine Lake Mudlarks for their continued support with this project. Thanks "We will be helping organise and facilitate also to Smals Dredging for completing the work on time despite the challenges of work- events at the lake, with Culture Weston and others, as we now have a wonderful venue ing in a marine environment. all-year-round, not just as a safer place for swimming and watersports, but also for “With the re-opening of the lake and the return of many big events this year, including theatre, live music events, poetry and possibly cinema. This should significantly the Weston Air Festival, we’re all set for a boost the area, both for locals and for the busy and exciting summer in Weston.” tourist trade. 32
