Frustration as outdoor pool stays closed

Residents have voiced frustration after an outdoor swimming pool in Oxfordshire remained closed during this week's record-breaking heat.

As temperatures topped 30C on Monday, Friends of Abbey Meadow Outdoor Pool urged an early reopening of the Abingdon facility, as happened last year.

The Radcliffe Meteorological Station in Oxford said it was "a record breaking day" with a provisional May maximum of 33.4C, 2.8C above the previous 1944 record.

Vale of White Horse District Council said last year's decision was to trial a "weather dependent" opening and added that running an outdoor pool "carries substantial operational and maintenance costs".

Elizabeth Simpson, chair of Friends of Abbey Meadow Outdoor Pool, said it was "disappointing to be in the meadow this week and see the pool closed".

She said using it would have been a safer alternative to swimming in the River Thames.

Simpson acknowledged staffing costs were "prohibitive" but argued the pool was built to "provide a safe environment to discourage people from risking swimming in the river".

The council said the firm that manages the site, Better UK, made the decision last year to trial a weather dependent opening "in the run up to the usual start of the season in late July".

It added: "The pool was opened in mid-June at weekends – and during the week – if the weather was good, this was at no additional cost to the council."

Better UK has been contacted for comment.