Bedfont Lakes open water swimming returns after safety review
Hounslow Council has reinstated supervised sessions at Bedfont Lakes Country Park following a hiatus due to financial and safety concerns.
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Open water swimming has returned to Bedfont Lakes Country Park in Hounslow, offering residents supervised sessions in the lake known as The Haven. The popular activity had been paused for two years, with sessions now available on selected Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
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Supervised swimming sessions at the lake were previously halted in June 2024, primarily because of financial viability issues, according to Hounslow Council. The activity had also seen a temporary suspension following a drowning incident in August 2022, where a man in his 20s died after encountering difficulties in the water. The council stated that this incident did not occur during a supervised session. Following the death, the previous provider suspended sessions out of respect, and later ended them due to financial reasons. Hounslow Council has consistently maintained a policy against unsupervised open water swimming at the park, permitting only sessions managed by accredited providers.
Salman Shaheen, Hounslow Council's cabinet member for environment, transport and public realm, described the reinstated swimming site as a "fantastic opportunity" for local people. He emphasised that the council only authorises supervised sessions conducted by providers holding appropriate safety accreditations.
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To ensure participant safety and prevent unauthorised swimming, Hounslow Council has installed new signage around the site. Park staff will conduct regular patrols of the area. The council has also undertaken rigorous checks to confirm the water quality is safe for swimming. The new provider, Howl Multisports, will be responsible for managing the supervised sessions. Their trained staff will offer support both on the water and at the shoreline, and will conduct ongoing water quality monitoring.
Bedfont Lakes Country Park, where the swimming sessions take place, was established in 1995, 22 years after landfill operations concluded at the site.
Questions this report answers
+Why did open water swimming stop at Bedfont Lakes?
Supervised open water swimming sessions at Bedfont Lakes Country Park were suspended in June 2024 primarily due to financial constraints. They had also been temporarily halted following a drowning incident in 2022, though that was not during a supervised session.
+What safety measures are in place for the swimming sessions?
Hounslow Council has installed new safety signage around the lake and park staff will patrol the area. The new provider, Howl Multisports, will manage supervised sessions with trained staff offering support and conducting regular water quality monitoring.
+Who is managing the new swimming sessions?
The supervised open water swimming sessions at Bedfont Lakes Country Park are now managed by a new provider called Howl Multisports. They are responsible for ensuring trained staff are present and that safety protocols are followed.
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