Hopes empty lake to be restored by spring

There are hopes an empty boating lake will be restored by spring.

Constantly low water levels at the site in Newcomen Terrace in Coatham, Redcar, saw a local model boat club race remote controlled cars there instead.

Members previously said there had been issues with low water levels for about three years, stopping the Teesside club "in its tracks".

Redcar and Cleveland Council's leader Alec Brown said the local authority was "doing what should have been done years ago - instead of sticking plasters".

The lake, built in the 1930s, has been empty since September when the site was drained and cleaned, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Brown said a surveyor had identified all the places in the lake where there were leaks.

He said the Labour-led council had ordered new sluice gates and replaced a bung in an inlet pipe.

"I have given a deadline of spring for any remedial work to be completely finished," he said. "But it will take months to get it right."

He added the deadline involved "drawing in funding from other pots".

Conservative Peter Grogan, who represents the Kirkleatham ward, has twice raised problems with the lake at full council meetings.

Dale Patterson, treasurer of Redcar Model Boat Club, previously told the BBC due to the lake having no water the group was struggling to attract members.

"It obviously stops the club in its tracks," he said, adding: "We can't sail."

"It makes it hard work and takes the shine off what we would like to be doing," he said.

"Sometimes this is the members' only outlet for getting out of the house, keeping the grey matter turning if you like, designing and making new boats."

Brown said he wanted to attract an operator for the lake, highlighting the increased number of visitors to the Coatham end of the town.

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