The City of London Corporation has provided an update on the closure of the bathing ponds following the heavy rain on Monday evening. The first set of water quality test results has come back and is unsatisfactory for all three bathing ponds (E.coli and Enterococci indicating the presence of sewage). Further test results are anticipated tomorrow but, as yet, there is no indication of a date when the bathing ponds might re-open safely. The most recent email from the Heath Superintendent is here.
When we have more information, members will be updated, particularly if there is any news of re-opening. The City of London’s Hampstead Heath twitter feed can be seen here.
On a more positive note, there has been progress in the campaign to prevent King’s College Cambridge banning swimming in the River Cam at Grantchester Meadows. The College has now held discussions with campaigners and representatives of the local authorities concerned, to explore ways to manage the area better whilst maintaining access to swimming. Campaigning has paid off (petition update page here).