Further delays to paddling pool reopening

Council officials in Hull have apologised after being forced to delay the reopening of a paddling pool until water quality tests have been carried out.

The water play area at Pickering Park has been closed since 2023 and has seen a series of problems during a £549,507 refurbishment project.

It was due to reopen on Saturday but the council said it would remain closed until the "testing had been finalised".

"We hope to be able to open as soon as possible, and apologise for any inconvenience," the council wrote on social media.

Hull City Council had previously promised the pool would be open for the school summer holidays. It made a similar promise in 2025 which did not materialise.

Park users and local businesses also voiced concerns about delays to the project and a lack of work at the site.

The pool was closed three years ago due to health and safety concerns. The council later held a consultation into the future of the site.

Emma Hardy, the Labour MP for Hull West and Haltemprice, described the latest delay as "sad news" on social media.

The BBC has contacted Hull City Council which said it was still waiting on the water test results and would issue an update soon.

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North.

Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices