Hornsey paddling pool empty due to ‘plumbing issue’

A popular paddling pool in a Hornsey park has been left empty this year because of a “plumbing issue”, according to Haringey Council.

Children have been unable to use the pool in Priory Park, which is supposed to open each year in May, after a pipe needed replacing.

The council says its contractors are working to resolve the problem and expects to reopen the pool in time for the school holidays, which start on 22nd July.

It comes amid an extended spell of hot weather in the UK, with temperatures in London expected to reach 30 degrees Celsius on Sunday.

Louise Miller, who lives in Crouch End and whose daughter is almost two, said it was “really annoying” that children couldn’t use the pool to play and cool down in.

She added: “It’s normally full by now for quite a while before schools break up so the little ones can use it. It’s always nice when you can bring the little ones before the school holidays, especially for people who don’t have gardens.”

Outside of the school holidays, the pool will open from Friday to Sunday, as it has in recent years. It is understood that the council cannot open it for longer periods due to a lack of funding.

Louise criticised the council’s decision, saying it was “really hard to manage the little ones” in hot weather.

Julie Davies, cabinet member for communities and civic life, said the council was proud of its green spaces and facilities for young people, including the paddling pools at Lordship Recreation Ground, Bruce Castle Park and Priory Park.

She added: “A plumbing issue with the paddling pool in Priory Park prevented us from opening as planned for the start of the summer season. Our contractors are on site and are actively working to resolve the issue. They have already started digging a trench for the new pipe, and once this is complete all that remains to do is to connect the new pipe to the mains.

“If all goes to plan, we will have the pool up and running in time for the start of the summer holidays, when all three of our pools are scheduled to be open seven days a week.

“Once the summer is over, we look forward to exploring with park users how we can further modernise our parks and create new opportunities for water play for children.”