Work is about to commence at all of the Heath swimming ponds in order to improve access to facilities and male contractors will be on site at the Ladies’ Pond from 11th April. This work is expected to take around six weeks to complete, and will finish around 22 May.
On 11th April, contractors will be delivering materials and setting up screened fencing and temporary toilets – it may be necessary to suspend swimming for part or all of that day to avoid any difficulties this disruption will cause – we will let you know nearer the date of opening times on 11th April.
After that and for the duration of the works, swimming will still be open, with the work area and a works access path screened off from the meadows and pond. Access to the pond will be around he side nearest to the outside shower, and the indoor changing areas will still be available.
Work will start at 7.30 am, though the Heath Management are hoping to push this back to 7.45 when the work has settled in a bit. To facilitate women swimming without men on site, the pond will open at 6.45am allowing 45 minutes of quiet and uninterrupted time before work commences.
The existing toilets are part of the refurbishment, so temporary toilets will be situated in the upper meadow, facing the gazebo. They will be completely different to the temporary toilets last summer and will be cleaner and maintained regularly.
CoL is being as helpful as they can be in the circumstances and state that contractors will be fully briefed on respecting swimmers’ privacy and keeping any movement between work and the entrance gate to the minimum necessary to facilitate the work.
“The main aim is to get this work finished as quickly as possible while staying open for swimming. We want to avoid any closures so there will need to be a bit of cooperation from swimmers too.”
If you have any queries about this work, please contact the Heath Management on HH-Swimming@cityoflondon.gov.uk