The rules at the splash park in Cassiobury Park have been revised following complaints from parents.

Watford Borough Council says it has made changes to the timings to reduce the amount of time families have to wait to enter.

The splash park reopened in March and has attracted large crowds - particularly over the last week thanks to the hot, sunny weather.

Since its reopening, the splash park has been welcoming new visitors every two-and-half-hours (including time for deep cleaning), but this will now be dropped to an hour-and-a-half.

A council spokesperson said: "After feedback about Cassiobury Park’s splash pools, the timing schedule has changed - with guests now allowed into the pools in one-hour increments (rather than two), and 30 minutes in between for cleaning.

"We're also exploring a fair, simple booking system."

Working on a one in, one out principle, people will be allowed within the gated area in one-hour slots as space becomes available. Signage will explain the new rules to park users.

One gate for the splash pools will be kept open and will be controlled by marshals. Every hour, the splash pools will be deep-cleaned for 30 minutes by staff. The pools will be open from 10am to 6.30pm (see full schedule at bottom of the article).

The news was welcomed by parents after the council posted the update on its Facebook page.

One person wrote: "This is great news and I’m sure users of the pools will appreciate this and it will allow more people access. Thank you."

Another said: "Finally something is being done. Very popular place, booking system seems like a reasonable idea. Imagine driving 40min to take children for little splash, waiting for hours in terrible heat and not actually having a go."

A third person wrote: "Thanks for listening 2 hours was far to long to wait for little children on a hot day", while a fourth said: "Good news. Queues were over 2 hours wait Tuesday! This is much more fair."

The council confirmed in its update that a maximum of 100 people will still only be allowed in the splash park at any one time, in line with Covid-19 guidance.

Some in the Facebook comments have called for this restriction to be eased.

The splash park facilities includes a play park with 30 splash pads, water jets, and fountains, two new splash pools, and changing room facilities and toilets nearby.

New Cassiobury Park splash pools schedule

10:00 to 11:00 – open

11:00 to 11.30 – closed for deep clean

11.30 to 12.30 – open

12.30 to 13:00 – closed for deep clean

13:00 to 14:00 – open

14:00 to 14:30 – closed for deep clean

14:30 to 15:30 – open

15:30 to 16:00 – closed for deep clean

16:00 to 17:00 – open

17:00 to 17:30 – closed for deep clean

17:30 to 18:30 – open