The recent good weather and unprecedented visitor numbers have meant that session times have been introduced at a paddling pool in Bushey.

Hertsmere Borough Council has introduced four separate hour-long sessions that will take place daily at King George Recreation Ground paddling pool in Bushey.

David Smith, parks and amenities manager, said: "Because of the recent high temperatures, the paddling pool has been extremely popular, which is great to see but it also presents us with a problem on how to manage numbers.  The water is deeper than a splash pool so we have to be more careful with overcrowding as well as adhere to different standards in water quality.

"The plant equipment and apparatus at the paddling pool is simply not able to treat the water to the standards required when there are too many people in it and when it is so hot, as sunlight reduces the effectiveness of the chlorine.

"Therefore in order to ensure that users - many of whom are young children - are safe, we must be able to control the numbers in some way so we are trialling the issuing of different coloured wristbands to children for the different sessions.  You can get the wristbands from the pool half an hour beforehand, on a first come, first served basis." 

The hourly sessions are as follows:

Tuesday to Sunday

  • 11.30am to 12.30pm - wristbands available from 11am
  • 1pm to 2pm - wristbands available from 12.30pm
  • 2.30pm to 3.30pm - wristbands available from 2pm
  • 4pm to 5pm - wristbands available from 3.30pm

Mondays

  • 1pm to 2pm - wristbands available from 12.30pm
  • 2.30pm to 3.30pm - wristbands available from 2pm
  • 4pm to 5pm - wristbands available from 3.30pm

Half an hour in between sessions is needed to clean up and manage the water quality.