SPLASH parks in Belvedere and Danson Park will not open this year due to drought conditions across the borough.

Bexley Council planned to turn on the water features at the splash parks during the first week of May but even after a prolonged period of rain, Thames Water says the drought still stands.

Water fountains at Crayford’s Waterside Gardens will also remain switched off.

Following the issuing of a Temporary Use Ban on April 5, the council has drawn up plans to reduce water use.

These include the replacement of the annual bedding plants, which require regular watering, with drought tolerant shrubs and perennial plants.

Notices are also being displayed on newly planted street trees across the borough, encouraging homeowners to water them with washing up water.

Thames Water says water levels in the River Darent remain ‘seriously low.’ For more details visit Bexley.gov.uk/drought.