Last July, Kirklees Council said that Greenhead Park in Huddersfield’s paddling pool would be re-opening soon. However, the council backtracked just a few weeks later when it was revealed that the pool had failed a number of safety tests.

The testing was a legal requirement but was also needed because the pool had been closed for two years. The test’s result leaves the council once again unable to open the paddling pool, despite temperatures reaching 28 degrees across Huddersfield.

Talking to Yorkshire Live, one woman said: “(Kirklees Council) has spent money everywhere else around the town but nothing for the kids. A trip to Greenhead Park is a free day out for many struggling families and with the cost of living going up, there will be lots of kids that don’t get a holiday this year.

“My family has been impacted by the closure of the pool at the park as we used to go for day trips two or three times a week during the school holidays. It was a cheap day out and the kids could spend may hours at the pool and get dressed then enjoy the other activities but since the pool is no longer open, we go to Ravensknowle Park now as it’s closer.

“With the cost of living as it is, parents can’t afford day trips to the seaside and holidays and this was a great way to keep them entertained. I work at a local school and can see how families are struggling to make ends meet without having to worry about the cost for days out.”

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) visited Greenhead Park today (Monday, June 12) and spoke to some parents about their views on the future of the pool. One mum chatted as her children played in the empty pool space.

She explained how she would play in the pool growing up and that it was a case of “go in at your own risk.” She said that drug addicts would go to the park at night and throw their used needles into the pool. She added: “It wasn’t the best of places.”

One dad said: “I didn’t know there was a pool. I’ve never seen it filled it up.” Other parents expressed how lovely it would be for their children to have a pool to play in at the park.

When contacted for comment, the council echoed their previous message. Councillor Naheed Mather, Cabinet Member for Culture and Greener Kirklees said: “The paddling pool at Greenhead Park, Huddersfield will remain closed in its current format whilst options are explored for its future, this follows extensive testing of the water and filtration systems last year which concluded that the pool would not meet current water safety standards.”

Cllr Bernard McGuin (Con, Almondbury) said he felt “sadness” upon the news that the pool would remain closed. He explained how a lot of people in the community had asked him what was going to happen to it.

He said: “I assume it’s a matter of cost and health and safety. I’ve been to a few towns and it seems that Huddersfield can’t get its act together when it comes to water features.

He added: “What’s wrong with Kirklees that we can’t do this sort of thing?”

Previously, former Lib Dem councillor Richard Eastwood spoke of his “dismay” at the pool closure. The councillor who worked on the pool in his youth described it as “a jewel in Greenhead Park’s crown” and couldn’t understand why the required works had not been done.

Paddling pool in Yorkshire park to remain closed and empty during heatwave after 'failing safety tests'