Celebrating lido victory

9:35am Wednesday 27th April 2005

CAMPAIGNERS say they are "over the moon" after it was revealed a popular lido is set to re-open.

Charlton Lido, Charlton Park Lane, Greenwich, was forced to close last summer due to health and safety fears and repeated vandalism.

But now the 57-year-old lido has been granted a reprieve after pressure from angry swimmers.

Charlton Lido Swimming Club one of the many clubs which uses the facility throughout the year maintains the facility at its own expense.

Club secretary Graham Jones said: "I'm over the moon for the community. This is not a very affluent part of London and the lido provides enjoyment for families and gives mums somewhere to take their kids."

The lido remained closed last summer due to concerns over the cleanliness of the water and fears asbestos was present in the heating boiler.

There were fears at the time the pool could remain permanently closed unless money was found for repairs.

Its future looked even gloomier when vandals caused thousands of pounds worth of damage by throwing bricks and rubble into the empty pool.

Mr Jones and his fellow campaigners now look to have won their battle to get their lido back in use but admit it could not survive another spate of vandalism.

He added: "A lot of money has gone into this but there is not the money to cope with repeated vandalism.

"That would put us back to square one. Why vandalise something when you can come and have a nice swim instead?"

The London Pools Campaign, which was set up to highlight the closure of swimming pools across the capital, also pushed for the lido to be re-opened.

Campaign co-ordinator Liz Hughes paid tribute to the "hard work and dedication" of the swimming club.

She added: "We just hope it will be a long hot summer now."

The lido attracted more than 12,000 visitors when it was last open during summer 2003.

For most of the year it is maintained by the Charlton Lido Swimming Club, with the council taking control during the school holidays.

A council spokesman said it is doing all it can to re-open the lido but could not comment on a time-scale for the opening.

Explore News Shopper