Stay out of water to save lives, councillor urges

Councillor Brady Hughes said the area around Ensor's Pool in Nuneaton should be enjoyed safely by visitors

A councillor has pleaded with people to avoid putting themselves at risk by swimming at a popular beauty spot.

Councillor Brady Hughes' plea comes after a 27-year-old man drowned when he got into difficulty while swimming in Ensor's Pool in Nuneaton, on Sunday.

Hughes said Nuneaton and Bedworth Council wanted people to use open spaces like this, but avoid putting themselves or others in danger. She said: "We can only keep on pleading with people to try and stay out of the water."

Although the lake may appear "nice and clear" and people might be tempted to cool off in the water, the former clay pit was "absolutely dangerous", she explained.

"Don't put yourself at risk, is the main message, because it won't just be yourselves you are putting in danger, emergency services are putting their lives on the line," Hughes, Labour councillor for Arbury, added.

She said the body of water claimed another life about 10 years ago and this latest death meant more safety awareness was needed.

"We have to keep on reiterating it isn't safe, it is a former clay pit and the bed is very muddy which can cause people to get stuck."

Dog walkers and nature lovers are being warned about getting into the water

Dog walkers and nature lovers alike are being warned not only of the safety hazard the water poses but also the impact littering is having on the area.

"We want to try and keep this area lovely for everybody, but people are leaving behind remnants of picnics, barbecues, dinghies, tents.

"I have seen dog walkers down here throwing toys into the water for their dogs.

"If their dogs got into trouble, a natural instinct would be to go in after and help them but that could also end in a tragedy," Hughes said.

The pool, in the south-west area of the town, is a former clay pit that served a nearby colliery and brick works, which has since been designated as a site of special scientific interest.

"The council are continually putting out communications - it's also well signed that people should not go in the water," she added.