Concerns are growing that the closure of Stratford Park Lido in Gloucestershire could lead to increased dangers, with residents potentially turning to hazardous wild swimming spots in local lakes.
Stroud District Council has indicated that the beloved open-air swimming pool, which attracted around 30,000 visitors in the 2025 season, faces closure this year due to urgent safety concerns demanding a £5 million refurbishment. Problems such as cracks at the base of the diving board, numerous trip and fall hazards, and deterioration of the pool surface have rendered the site unsafe for use.
Officials warn that filling the pool in its current condition would cause the water to cloud, making it difficult to see swimmers clearly under the surface — an issue that significantly raises safety risks.
Councillor Steve Robinson, representing Nailsworth, voiced strong apprehension about the potential consequences during last week’s community services and licensing committee meeting at Ebley Mill. He highlighted the danger of increased wild swimming in Woodchester Park’s lakes, which are unsupervised and pose serious risks.
Robinson recalled a fatal incident in 2023 when a local resident drowned at Woodchester Park. “The dangers are well known,” he stressed. “Despite efforts involving emergency services, the National Trust, and community departments, concerns about wild swimming remain high.”
He emphasized the risks linked to the lake’s unclear depths and poor visibility, saying, “You can’t see anyone in the lake; it is extremely dangerous. Seeing young people drawn there in the summer worries me deeply.”
Robinson expressed reluctance to support the lido’s closure, fearing tragic consequences if swimmers seek out the unsafe lakes in its absence. “I would hate to have to explain to a family that we had to close the pool, only for a fatality to occur elsewhere,” he stated.
The committee has recommended temporarily closing the Stratford Park Lido for the 2026 season, with the final decision pending review by the strategy and resources committee and then the full council in meetings scheduled for April 16 and April 30.
In response, the National Trust reiterated that swimming is strictly prohibited at Woodchester Park lakes due to hidden dangers, their depth, and poor mobile coverage, which hampers emergency response. Warning signs are prominently displayed to discourage swimmers.
The situation highlights a critical dilemma: preserving public safety while addressing the urgent need for investment in vital community leisure facilities.