A COMMITTEE determined to bring back public swimming into Promenade Park’s lake is back on the campaign trail.

More than 4,000 people have signed a petition to allow the public to swim in the lake in the park, which has been banned since 2002 when 45-year-old Kevin Gay died after he hit his head on a submerged post when diving in.

The Promenade Park Swimming Committee’s plans went before a full meeting of Maldon District Council in November, where they were thrown out completely by members.

They had wanted a 1.5 to 1.8 metre deep lake, a sill to allow the lake to refresh at high tide, disabled access, a pipe to empty it at below freezing temperatures, and Edwardian style changing huts.

However, the campaigners are still determined to see the lakes turned back into swimming areas and have been working to secure more support, as well as drawing up business plans for the lake.

Their aim is to re-submit plans to the district council in the future.

They will be spending the summer season at various events in the district spreading their message and encouraging others to show support.

They have already attended events at the Museum of Power in Langford, and are due to attend a memories day at Maldon Smokehouse and have organised a litter pick around the lakes in the park at the end of the month.

Lisa Cullumbine, committee member, said: “The past winter months we have still been having our meetings and working in the background sorting out a business plan amongst other things to re-present to the MDC and we will be out petitioning at events again.

“The Free for Kidz day at the Museum of Power was a great success for us thanks to the museum and the great spot we were pitched at we collected a lot of signatures. Many, many people took our flyers and have also signed online which has ramped up the numbers there too.

“It was a very successful day and we hope our future plans will be as successful.”

Richard Holmes, Director of Customers and Community at Maldon District Council, said: “There has been no change in the Council’s carefully considered position regarding the Promenade Park Ornamental Lake.”

The online petition now has more than 2,000 signatures.

Visit https://bit.ly/2FZa59x.