A PETITION has been launch to bring back swimming and paddle boating in the lakes of Promenade Park.

The Marine Lake in the park has been shut to members of the public for just under 15 years, as in August 2002, 45-year-old Kevin Gay died after he hit his head on a submerged post when diving into the lake.

Following this the council shut the lake and drained two million gallons of water from it.

Now a petition has been started by a group of Maldon residents including Marie Ellis and Lisa Cullumbine, who believe there is huge demand for the pool to re-open.

Lisa said: “The gentleman’s death was very unfortunate and the council were dealt with accordingly for that and decided to shut the pool.

“They were given a few options of things that they could do. The Health and Safety Executive basically gave them limited options. None of the residents were consulted on any ideas put forward as to how we could keep the pool open.

“A lot of us feel very strongly about it. People have been want it this to reopen for some time.

“We feel it is important that the council listen to us because we feel very strongly about this, as do a lot of people in the area. It is sad, it used to be absolutely heaving down there in the summer, but it is a lot quieter nowadays.”

Bob Wyness, chairman of the Friends of Promenade Park community group, said bringing back swimming in the lakes would be a ‘legal nightmare’.

He said: “Because the lake was originally billed as a swimming lake, legally the council need to have lifeguards and patrols to run it, which they simply can’t afford.

“Also, if any other injuries were to happen and the council is contacted by solicitors of injured parties they would face huge legal bills which would be paid by the taxpayer.

“It’s extremely unlikely that we could get around the legal nightmare.”

Richard Holmes, Director of Customers and Community at Maldon District Council, said: “The council is aware of the Change.Org petition. There has been no change in health and safety legislation and therefore there is no change in the council’s carefully considered position.”

The petition was started on Saturday and has since gathered more than 350 signatures. See it at: http://bit.ly/2qnY48R