Concerns have emerged in Gloucestershire that the closure of Stratford Park Lido could lead to dangerous wild swimming in local lakes, increasing the risk of drowning incidents this summer.
Stroud District Council leaders have declared that reopening the beloved open-air swimming pool for the 2026 season would be unsafe without a crucial £5 million refurbishment. The lido attracted around 30,000 visitors in the 2025 season, but structural issues now jeopardize its future.
Inspectors identified significant cracks beneath the diving board and multiple trip hazards around the site. Additionally, the pool’s surface is deteriorating, causing potential clouding of the water if filled, which would severely reduce visibility underwater and increase safety risks.
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These safety concerns have raised alarms about residents turning to wild swimming in nearby Woodchester Park lakes, which are not designated for swimming and present their own dangers.
Labour and Co-operative Councillor Steve Robinson, representing Nailsworth, voiced serious worries at a recent community services committee meeting. Highlighting a fatality in Woodchester Park in 2023, Robinson emphasized that wild swimming in the lakes is extremely hazardous.
“I’m deeply concerned that without the lido open, more people will take to the lakes,” he stated. “We’ve already tragically lost a local resident there, and despite ongoing collaboration between emergency services, the National Trust, and the council to improve safety, the risks remain high.”
Robinson underscored the difficulty in spotting swimmers in the lake’s murky depths, contrasting with the lido’s controlled environment. “I would hate to vote for the pool’s closure and later face families mourning avoidable tragedies,” he said.
Despite his reservations, the committee recommended the lido’s temporary closure for the upcoming season. The proposal is now set for review by the strategy and resources committee and will require full council approval in meetings scheduled for April 16 and 30.
A spokesperson for the National Trust, which manages Woodchester Park, reiterated that swimming is strictly prohibited in the lakes due to hidden hazards, deep waters, and poor mobile coverage that hamper emergency response.
“Visitor safety is our top priority,” the spokesperson said. “Signage is prominently displayed, warning that swimming is not allowed to protect people from the risks posed by these natural water bodies.”
As the debate continues, community leaders and residents remain hopeful that the lido’s refurbishment can proceed swiftly to offer a safe alternative to hazardous wild swimming.