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In order to carry out the improvement works, North Somerset Council must close the tidal lake from Friday 16 September. The work is expected to take a few weeks and will reopen when the tide is high enough to overtop the lake. This is currently estimated to happen on or around Thursday 6 October, with the lake reopening to the public shortly afterwards.
This is the latest in a series of work to take place as part of the council’s investment of £300,000 in bringing the lake back into use as an outdoor swimming and watersports destination.
Councillor Mike Solomon, the council's executive member for neighbourhoods and community services, said: “It’s been joyful to see the lake being enjoyed by so many residents and visitors since it re-opened at the start of June. This is testament to all the hard work that went in to restoring the lake and by so many people. I must take this opportunity to thank the volunteers at Weston Marine Lake Mudlarks, not only for their continued support with this project but for all their efforts over the busy summer period. I’m pleased that the sluice gates will be replaced later this month.”
The council continues to work closely with the Weston Marine Lake Mudlarks, a group of volunteers who assist with the management of the lake.
Claire Trevor-Roper, one of the directors of the Mudlarks, said: "We’re extremely pleased that the new sluice gates will be installed soon, and that the council’s executive has committed to maintain and manage them. It’ll be interesting to find out how much silt has re-entered the lake since it re-opened in June. This will provide a guide of how often the lake will need to be drained in the future.”
Councillor John Crockford-Hawley, the council's heritage champion, added: “This latest phase in Marine Lake’s restoration will ensure the best possible retention of water and aid the partial removal of silt. The season has shown how sensible we’ve been bringing this 94-year-old bathing facility back into proper public use. It’s certainly been very popular and it’ll be interesting to see how many continue swimming, canoeing, paddle boarding and generally enjoying themselves in the water as autumn approaches. I wonder if any descendants of those who created the lake still live in Weston? If so, they can be rightly proud of their forebears.”
The council’s investment in Weston’s Marine Lake is part of its £700,000 'Great Lakes' project which includes work to revitalise Clevedon's Marine Lake and Portishead Lake Grounds.