Paddling pools to stay closed on the bank holiday weekend over slip fears

SEASIDE paddling pools will remain closed on busy bank holiday weekends — over fears that children will slip over.

Four pools which have been used by thousands over many years will not reopen.

WNSPenmaenmawr pool will stay closed after it was deemed a health and safety hazard[/caption]

The decision was taken by Conwy council which said: “Our paddling pools at Craig y Don in Llandudno, Llanfairfechan, Penmaenmawr and Rhos on Sea won’t be opening as normal in May this year.

“We recently carried out a full safety audit of all our sites, which found some areas to be high slip risk.”

The council added it had planned to apply specialist anti-slip coating to the surfaces but the contractor was unable to carry out the work in time.

But one angry resident said: “This is health and safety madness. These pools have been used for decades by generations of families.

Another said: “Disgraceful — put taxes up then give us less services.”

An online petition has been set up to save the pools.

Charlie McCoubrey, the leader of the council, which is run by a group of independents, added: “We know our paddling pools are hugely popular and we’re doing all we can to resolve the situation.

“We realise how disappointing this will be for people living in and visiting our beautiful county, but the safety of children and families using our paddling pools is our priority.”