Muddy water from floods forces Heavitree paddling pools to close for season

Published: 18 September 2023

Soil run-off from the heavy rains over the weekend has forced the City Council to close the paddling pools at Heavitree Pleasure Ground for the current season.

The pools had closed last week due to a technical issue but the Council was hoping to get them open again soon.

However the pools have now been contaminated with muddy water and soil from the nearby fields and a Met Office amber warning is for further heavy rains on Wednesday.

Cllr Ruth Williams, Lead Councillor for Place and City Management said: “We were hoping to get them open again for the final week of the season but this is not now going to be possible, given the work that we would have to do to drain and clean the pools and the outstanding repair that has to be carried out.”

Fun-seekers however can still take advantage of the Splashpad at St Thomas Pleasure Ground. The water facilities will remain open until the first week of October.