Push for reopening Colchester Castle Park's boating lake by summer
Councillors urge action after a year-long closure
A boating lake in Colchester’s Castle Park may reopen by this summer’s school holidays if councillors succeed in pushing for its re-opening.
Closed for around a year following the collapse of the Middle Mill Weir, the lake has not had an update on reopening plans, prompting dissatisfaction from several councillors during a recent Colchester City Council meeting.
Labour councillor Lee Scordis criticized the current appearance of the lake, saying it "looks horrible" and expressing concern over the lack of updates.
The lake, once sustained by the historic weir that dates back 900 years, faces challenges due to a long-standing leak as the council decided not to rebuild the weir for financial reasons.
Lib Dem councillor Martin Goss highlighted the need for solutions, mentioning the possibility of converting the area into a splash park.
He said, "There is a report due shortly to outline the options and costs. It has been chased several times. I am disappointed it’s running late."
Paul Dundas, the newly appointed Conservative leader of the council, expressed concerns over the situation saying that it was "not a great advert for Colchester" and emphasised the financial barriers.
A Colchester City Council spokesperson acknowledged the frustration surrounding the delay and assured that options are being actively developed with an emphasis on environmental, safety, and financial factors.
Since a decision has been made not to rebuild the weir, the council can now focus on sustainable solutions for refilling the lake.
Safety measures remain a priority, the area currently secured until a resolution is found.