Work progresses on redeveloping the Open Air Pool at the Abbey Meadows. But with so many lorries coming and going along the path, to the service entrance round the side, the mud keeps getting churned up.
Other than work people, there are people going to the Abbey Brass Band hut who use the path – either to one of the training bands, or the senior band.
There was the problem of the dark as well, but a light has recently been added and improved matters a little. Gravel is sometimes put down, but it soon gets churned by the next few lorries.
One parent, who takes their son to band practice every week, suggested boards would have helped. Another band member told me there used to be a drier way round the edge but even that has become muddy. Wellington Boots are a necessity.
As Chairman of Abbey Brass, I just wanted to add that I contacted the Council last November when winter conditions were setting in, and the contractors agreed to keep the gravel topped up as mentioned above.
The pathway has been reasonably manageable up to this point so I’ve opened discussions again regarding what can be done to ensure the safety of band members who need access to our site throughout the week.
Both the Council and the contractors have been considerate throughout the works so far, so I don’t anticipate any issues in resolving this.
As I walked over the unusually slippy muddy bridge this afternoon I spied a digger scrapping the surface mud off, back to the hard surface..
I go through the park a few times most days and to be fair to the builders, it has been particularly wet recently and they have been spotted quite a few times with power washers and scrapers cleaning up after themselves.
On the whole and under the conditions, it appears that they are trying hard to keep everyone safe and happy.
I’m particularly looking forward to the new pool after the condition the old one fell into.
Let’s all look at the bigger picture!