Promenade

MALDON ARCHIVE

Maldon's Promenade, Promenade Park, Marine Lake & the Hythe (1887 - 1984)

Maldon Marine Lake is located in Promenade Park on Mill Road, Maldon, a quaint historic town situated on the estuary of the River Blackwater in Essex, which is famous for its promenade park featuring a saltwater lake.

The Promenade Park was established in 1895, with the Marine Lake being officially opened by Lady Rayleigh of Terling and the Mayor at that time, Alderman Leonard Bentall, on Wednesday 21st June 1905, until its closure for swimming on Sunday 7th September 2003. The unique appeal of the lake was that swimming was permitted regardless of the tide conditions in the nearby estuary.

In 2002, a tragic incident occurred when a young father lost his life while swimming in the lake after apparently colliding with a submerged and invisible post that served as the base for a warning sign. Consequently, the Maldon District Council faced prosecution by The Health and Safety Executive and following legal counsel's advice, entered a plea of guilty.

Maldon's Promenade, Promenade Park, Marine Lake & the Hythe (1887 - 1984) continued

The plans put forth by the Council to reopen the lake for swimming were unsuccessful due to financial constraints in meeting with the Health and Safety Executive's requirement of having 26 lifeguards (reportedly) supervising swimmers at all times, along with the necessity of enclosing the lake with a barrier of at least 2 meters. Some critics noted that this would create an aesthetic resemblance to a prison. It was highlighted that numerous other swimming locations across the UK allow swimming without formal supervision. Local residents appeared perplexed as to why different standards were being enforced in Maldon.

As the initiative to reopen the marine lake for swimmers faced obstacles, Maldon Town Council proposed new plans that included the establishment of an "ornamental lake." This idea was met with significant disapproval from local inhabitants, leading to the launch of a campaign titled "Save Maldon Marine Lake." Nevertheless, the council remained hesitant to take additional risks concerning health and safety, ultimately concluding that the lake would serve the community better in the long run.

The revised proposals banned individuals from swimming in the lake. Furthermore, a water-play area and a "Galleon play area" have been suggested for the location and have been now constructed.

Back to home page.

They are not to be copied, reproduced, republished, posted, broadcast, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered or stored in or introduced into any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical now known or hereinafter invented.