Ruislip Lido
Welcome to the Ruislip Lido section of the web site. Ruislip Residents' Association have two places on the Lido Management Advisory Group (LMAG), which meets quarterly to advise the Council on all aspects of the Lido operation. Members of LMAG come from a number of interested local organisations, as well as Councillors and Council officers.
Proposed Improvements to Ruislip Lido - October 2012
An overflow car park - RP started by saying something like "I know you are opposed to this". It was pointed out that LMAG was made up of a number of groups, all of whom were not necessarily opposed. In fact he was referring to a petition raised by the Friends of Ruislip Lido (FoRL) and the local lido residents group. RP went on to state that the planning application will be resubmitted in the near future with a number of modifications, particularly reducing the number of parking spaces from 160 to 150 (this is made up of 142 public spaces, including disabled and brown badge, and a further 8 spaces reserved for Lido Railway staff - see below). FoRL were very obviously against the proposal and could not see the necessity. RP encouraged them to put their objections in writing and to raise additional petitions, but warning that each petition should contain differing objections if they wanted to speak separately and have the additional time allotted at the hearing. The aim is to complete by July 2012, but RP acknowledged that this would probably be later in the year.
New public toilets (adjacent to Willow Lawn) - Generally agreed to be a good thing - could be installed around October 2012.
A new catering facility - A woodland/education facility - A drawing was tabled of a new building to replace the existing catering facilities in the beach area, backing on to Park Woods, which would also contain a woodland/education facility. The drawing shows a single story area on the left for catering (stated as being of National Trust standard) and a two story building on the right for woodland displays, classroom and office. A higher number of school visits is expected. The contract for catering has already been awarded. A temporary facility will be installed while building proceeds in 2012, with the new facility available early in 2013. This proposal met with unanimous approval, providing the building standards are high and it looks the part.
Rain shelters - These have already been purchased, but bases are needed. Installation will proceed when other building work is in hand
Narrow gauge railway - Discussions are taking place with the Ruislip Lido Railway Society to ensure that there will be investment in the future. It is proposed that a mess facility will be provided to the left of the new catering facility in the area where railway staff park their cars at present (hence the need for reserved parking in the overflow car park). The old oak tree in that area will remain.
Beach swimming area - Swimming may be made available from a suitably enclosed area close to the beach. Water quality testing will continue in 2012 before any further consideration is given to this.
Children's paddle boat area - The Council is considering recreating an enclosed children's paddle boat area within the lake. It seems unlikely that this will happen and the proposal was viewed with disfavour by all present.
Note: The earlier proposal for adult boating has been dropped.
Angling - The proposals include the siting of angling platforms towards the north end of the lake
Site security - Management, security fencing and appropriate lighting will be reviewed. It was generally agreed that vandalism and anti-social behaviour are significant problems, made worse by the present low level of council staffing. No one present wanted the Lido to be fenced off or have controlled access. Open access 24/7 was thought to be ideal, but security would need to be significantly improved.
Nature area - The proposals for the enhancement of the area will continue to respect and provide quiet, natural space for wildlife to flourish. The area at the north end of the lake could be set aside for this.
We want to know your views – please email to our Lido representative
A number of planning applications have now been approved, but work is yet to start. We understand that the Council web site covering the enhancement to the Lido will be updated before the end of October 2012. Watch this space!
The Council Leader, Cllr. Ray Puddifoot (RP), held a meeting on Thursday, 22nd March, to outline to Lido Management Group (LMAG) members his updated proposals for the refurbishment of Ruislip Lido and to discuss reservations.
PROPOSALS
An overflow car park - RP started by saying something like "I know you are opposed to this". It was pointed out that LMAG was made up of a number of groups, all of whom were not necessarily opposed. In fact he was referring to a petition raised by the Friends of Ruislip Lido (FoRL) and the local lido residents group. RP went on to state that the planning application will be resubmitted in the near future with a number of modifications, particularly reducing the number of parking spaces from 160 to 150 (this is made up of 142 public spaces, including disabled and brown badge, and a further 8 spaces reserved for Lido Railway staff - see below). FoRL were very obviously against the proposal and could not see the necessity. RP encouraged them to put their objections in writing and to raise additional petitions, but warning that each petition should contain differing objections if they wanted to speak separately and have the additional time allotted at the hearing. The aim is to complete by July 2012, but RP acknowledged that this would probably be later in the year.
New public toilets (adjacent to Willow Lawn) - Generally agreed to be a good thing - could be installed around October 2012.
A new catering facility - A woodland/education facility - A drawing was tabled of a new building to replace the existing catering facilities in the beach area, backing on to Park Woods, which would also contain a woodland/education facility. The drawing shows a single story area on the left for catering (stated as being of National Trust standard) and a two story building on the right for woodland displays, classroom and office. A higher number of school visits is expected. The contract for catering has already been awarded. A temporary facility will be installed while building proceeds in 2012, with the new facility available early in 2013. This proposal met with unanimous approval, providing the building standards are high and it looks the part.
Rain shelters - These have already been purchased, but bases are needed. Installation will proceed when other building work is in hand
Narrow gauge railway - Discussions are taking place with the Ruislip Lido Railway Society to ensure that there will be investment in the future. It is proposed that a mess facility will be provided to the left of the new catering facility in the area where railway staff park their cars at present (hence the need for reserved parking in the overflow car park). The old oak tree in that area will remain.
Beach swimming area - Swimming may be made available from a suitably enclosed area close to the beach. Water quality testing will continue in 2012 before any further consideration is given to this.
Children's paddle boat area - The Council is considering recreating an enclosed children's paddle boat area within the lake. It seems unlikely that this will happen and the proposal was viewed with disfavour by all present.
Note: The earlier proposal for adult boating has been dropped.
Angling - The proposals include the siting of angling platforms towards the north end of the lake
Site security - Management, security fencing and appropriate lighting will be reviewed. It was generally agreed that vandalism and anti-social behaviour are significant problems, made worse by the present low level of council staffing. No one present wanted the Lido to be fenced off or have controlled access. Open access 24/7 was thought to be ideal, but security would need to be significantly improved.
Nature area - The proposals for the enhancement of the area will continue to respect and provide quiet, natural space for wildlife to flourish. The area at the north end of the lake could be set aside for this.
We want to know your views – please email to our Lido representative
First published on 18 January 2011. Last updated on 22 October 2012
