Swimmers looking to cool off as London basks in scorching temperatures have been left frustrated as one of the capital’s most popular lidos has closed for essential repairs.
An amber heat health alert has been issued for the whole of England as temperatures are tipped to reach a scorching 33C on Saturday, with hot weather forecast into mid-July.
But north Londoners have expressed their frustration as Park Road Leisure Centre & Lido in Crouch End will be closed for over a week, ending next Friday, for essential repairs and maintenance.
One nearby resident complained on social media: “They could not have picked a worse time, a heatwave, mid June, well done everyone.”
A second local added: “I can’t believe maintenance works have been planned for peak season. Seems bonkers.”
A third wrote: “Essential repairs in December? Of course not, that’s common sense.”
Responding on social media, staff at the lido explained that the works are unable to wait until winter due to the “significant risk” of a pump failing, which could lead to a lengthy closure over the busy summer months.
Responding to complaints on Facebook, lido staff wrote: “We have been running on one pump (rather than two) for over two years.
“If the one pump fails or the pipework to it fails, we would have faced a lengthy closure or even worse, significant damage to the pool plant similar to Tottenham Green.
“Haringey quickly responded when the issue was identified, various quotes were obtained, parts were ordered from Germany.
“They are not ‘off the shelf items’ but have a significant lead times.
“They had to align this, specialist contractor windows of availability and coordinate with work being carried out by other contractors on the lido to minimise overall service disruption.”
They added that, unfortunately, the British weather is not predictable but that they were grateful for the “enormous investment”.
In a separate post, staff wrote that they were “very sad that the timing of the works coincided with hot weather, but so pleased the work is being done”.
Haringey Council explained that the works are taking place ahead of the lido’s busiest period over July and August.
Works are taking place at the much-loved 50-metre outdoor pool, which has been popular since it opened over 100 years ago in 1926, to replace ageing pipework and pumps.
Further work is taking place to prepare for the installation of covers at the pool and to improve showers, the teaching pool and tiling.
The council has said that the new circulation pumps and pool covers will save the lido over £35,000 in running costs and will reduce its carbon emissions.
Lido users are still able to swim inside the main indoor pool at the leisure centre while the lido is out of action.
Councillor Emily Arkell, Haringey Council’s cabinet member for culture and leisure, said: “We know that the Lido at Park Road Leisure Centre means so much to our residents and is a vital asset in supporting their mental health and physical wellbeing.
“We are investing in these essential improvements so that it continues to thrive as a community hub now and in the future.
“The repairs and maintenance are being undertaken now to ensure the facility has no disruption during the school holidays in July and August, which is peak season. We are also taking this opportunity to make other improvements our users have asked for so that we minimise future closures.
“We are aiming to re-open the Lido by next Friday (27 June 2025) and cannot wait to welcome back our residents who will benefit from this newly renovated provision for the remainder of this summer and beyond.”
Park Road Leisure Centre & Lido has been contacted for further comment.
