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Volunteers slam 'ignorant' criticism of lake's upgrade

Matty EdwardsBristol
Thomas Hoskin A dark grey, tarmac-like surface runs along the side of the marine lake, with a white edge and a stone wall on the other side. You can see the sea beyond the edge of the lakeThomas Hoskin
Criticism swirled on social media about the new surface burning people's feet, but the council said it was best material to use

Volunteers who secured funding to upgrade a seawater lake have hit back at "ignorant" criticism of its new surface.

The damaged walkway around the marine lake in Weston-super-Mare, north Somerset, has been resurfaced as part of a wider £1m refurbishment.

But residents have spoken out after seeing the new surface, as they fear it could burn their feet, and some have slammed the way it looks.

Jan Doyle from the Mudlarks, the group behind the upgrade, said the previous concrete surface was chipped in places and dangerous, adding: "It's heartbreaking when people make awful comments, but actually it's in ignorance."

North Somerset Council bosses said that the material around the lake, which is the same used at Clevedon Marine lake, was "the best available for this challenging marine environment", and would fade to a grey colour in the coming weeks.

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Weston Marine Lake closed in October last year to allow for resurfacing of the steps and walkway, as well as installing more public toilets and a new concession, equipment hire and storage facility.

The £1m works, which should be finished by May, are being paid for through the government's Levelling Up Fund.

North Somerset Council A sandy beach next to the marine lake in Weston-super-Mare, which is busy with parasols, people sunbathing and swimming in the lakeNorth Somerset Council
Volunteer group the Mudlarks made a successful bid for government funding to pay for the improvements

Resident Thomas Hoskin, 39, posted on a local Facebook group with a photo of the new surface and the caption, "that's going to burn your feet on a hot day".

In less than 24 hours, the post sparked hundreds of comments, with many claiming it looked "dreadful".

"After noticing the new tarmac promenade, my initial reaction was how it's not very practical," Hoskin said.

"When we do have a hot day, I think the tarmac will make the swimming lake unusable."

He said the promenade was fine as it was and did not need to be resurfaced.

"I've not read all of the 1,000 plus comments, but it seems people share the same concerns and anger at the waste of money," he added.

Jan Doyle, a middle-aged woman with grey hair and glasses is wearing a hard hat and high-vis jacket. She is stood next to the marine lake
Doyle said a phenomenal amount of work went into working out what was the right material

Doyle said a lot of work had gone in to finding the best material that would cause the fewest accidents and last the longest.

"It's got to cope with the tide coming in over about 10 days a month," she added.

The previous concrete surface was dangerous because it was broken up, causing a trip hazard, was slippery when wet, and would get hot on sunny days, Doyle said.

The new surface would be less slippery, she said, adding that broken steps have also been replaced, along with new signage and a coloured line to make it clearer where the edge of the water is.

"The amount of planning that has gone into it has been phenomenal," she added.

A council spokesperson said the surface that has been laid around the edge of the lake has been chosen because of its suitability for a marine environment.

"[It] is similar to the existing surfacing that is wearing well on the lake's causeway," they added.

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