A 'murky' affair! Council keen to tackle 75-year build-up of sludge at base of Cleethorpes Boating Lake

                                                

All the fun of the boating lake! But build-up of sediment is sometimes an issue for boaters

HIGH-profile Cleethorpes businessman and councillor Bill Parkinson has urged full speed ahead on a project to clear the huge amount of sludge that lies at the bottom of the boating lake.

At a meeting today, he urged NELC officers: "Push on as hard as you can.

"The boating lake is extremely popular. It is almost 100 years old and one of the resort's most important assets." 

                                    

Cllr Parkinson - 'lake is important asset'

Concerns about the sediment were detailed in a report to the tourism economy scrutiny panel which met this morning in Grimsby Town Hall.

Compiled by assistant environment director Kath Jickells, the document states: "There are several challenges around the management of the lake due to its age and design. 

"These challenges have included a build-up of sediment over the years which has led to a decreased water level in the boating lake causing it to dry up during drought conditions. 

"There has also been poor aeration in the boating lake further increasing sediment build-up, causing the water to become murky and reducing the biodiversity of the lake."

Ms Jickells continues: "The lake was originally designed to be drained and cleaned annually  there are no records of this having happened since the Second World War.

"The build-up of  sediment has caused issues for the boat operator and boat users who have raised concerns about water levels.

"Water levels are checked daily by officers, with officers pumping water out of the lake if there is an overflow and opening the borehole inlet if there is too little water.

"Pumping system and water fountains are checked and maintained by external contractors. 

"All filters for infalls leading into the lake are also cleaned by NELC Officers. 

"Alongside these measures, officers carry out routine lakeside maintenance and checks which includes: 

• Hedgerow flailing once per year

• Grass cutting by both triple ride on mowers and a tractor with gang mowers on a 10–14-day schedule 

• Shrub pruning annually

• Repairs and maintenance to all pathways and handrails

• Routine waste collections 

• Bridge inspections and maintenance

• Routine inspection and repairs of benches and knee-high railing

• Weed spraying

• Inspection of Trees and actioned works 

According to Ms Jickells, officers have explored options to de-silt the lake, but this would be at "a significant cost", not least because of transportation and disposal.

It will therefore be seeking grants  - initially £250,000 - from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and/or other sources to enable it to proceed.

NELC is also hoping to learn lessons from other areas including Boultham Park in Lincoln. Some sort of community involvement could be an option.

It is also exploring options to involve Natural England, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and the Humber Nature Partnership.

Although they are not named in the report, there could also be roles for Grimsby RSPB and the Lincolnshire Bird Club whose secretary carries out a monthly count of the various waterfowl species for the British Trust for Ornithology.