Council goes to new lengths as installation of Lido floodlights begins

Masterstroke: work will begin this month on floodlights for the London Fields Lido. Photograph: LFTC

Lovers of the London Fields Lido will soon be able to swim after sundown all year round as work begins on the installation of floodlights around the pool.

The council says the lighting, which got the go-ahead in May, has been carefully selected in order to minimise potential light pollution for residents and wildlife.

Installation work on the eight floodlights is not expected to affect the availability of the pool, and will be completed by the end of November. The lido will then be open from 6.30am until 9pm all year round.

Cllr Jonathan McShane, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Culture, said that following a consultation, the “overwhelming response” was that people wanted to swim later into the year and before and after work.

He said: “The pool owes much of its popularity to its state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly heating system, which keeps the water temperature at a constant 25C, even in the coldest weather.

“Now, with these extended opening hours, there’s no excuse not to take a dip and enjoy all the health and lifestyle benefits that swimming brings.”

In addition to the eight floodlights which will be installed along each side of the pool, lighting will be installed to the poolside changing cubicles and new LEDs will illuminate the entrance and cycle rack area.The underwater pool lights will also be replaced with new energy-saving bulbs.