Outdoor swimming suspended over poor water quality

Ferry Meadows' outdoor swimming season was launched about six weeks ago

Open water swimming in a city park lake has been suspended over poor water quality.

Nene Park Trust said a monthly water bathing quality test had been carried out at Gunwade Lake in Ferry Meadows, Peterborough, which is a designated location for open water swimming.

The lake has now been closed to the activity until further notice, due to the water quality dropping below the standard recommended for people to swim in by the Environment Agency.

The park has also warned dog owners that allowing their pets to swim in any river or lake is at their own risk.

'No control'

Ferry Meadows' outdoor swimming season was launched about six weeks ago, and swim sessions run every Thursday. The park trust said the activity has become more popular each year.

Nene Park Trust also said other water sports on the lake were being managed closely but were considered “safe, as they do not involve being submerged in the water for a prolonged period of time”.

A spokesperson for Nene Park Trust said: “It is important to bear in mind that our lakes are fed by the River Nene, which is a natural and ever-changing body of water.

“The water quality can be affected by a range of factors such as livestock along the river, urban drainage, wildlife and rainfall. As a result, we have no control over the water quality in our lakes. We will be taking an additional 'Water Bathing' test later this week with results being shared next week.

“We will resume open water swimming sessions as soon as the test result returns to acceptable levels.”

The trust said that no other activities on Gunwade Lake had been affected by this issue.