Boats back in leaky lake ahead of further repairs

Redcar Model Boat Club has previously said how the empty lake stopped the club "in its tracks"

Boats are sailing once again in an historic, but leaky, lake ahead of further repairs.

The lake, at Newcomen Terrace in Coatham, Redcar, has suffered from low water levels for years, forcing a model boat club to race radio controlled cars there instead.

A test refill in April failed, prompting an investigation, and more repairs to a pump and the structure's base will be carried out this month.

But Redcar Model Boat Club treasurer Dale Patterson said "things seem to be progressing in the right direction".

Redcar and Cleveland Council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service temporary pumps had been installed at the site to draw water directly from the sea.

"The saltwater intake pipe on the beach has also been damaged and will be repaired," a spokesperson said.

The model boat club held a D-Day sail at the lake on Friday

The club has been able to sail some of its vessels ahead of the fresh repairs as sections of the lake have been refilled.

"It's been lovely," Mr Patterson said.

"It's nice just to get the boats back out."

A lot of people had been passing by and taking interest in the mini vessels, which "we've spent hours and hours building", he added.

Club members also race radio controlled vehicles

The lake, which is about 100 years old, has been blighted by low levels of water for more than three years.

The structure was emptied and cleaned last September and repairs were carried out.

There were hopes it could be back to its former glory in the spring, but a test refill in early April failed.

An investigation to find out why included a full topographical survey, use of ground penetrating radar and the drilling of 30 cores across the lake base and walls.

Kirkleatham ward councillor Peter Grogan said in a social media post remedial work was due to start on Monday.