Felixstowe: Eyesore given splash of paint in area tidy-up
The much-criticised boating lake at Felixstowe has been given a summer tidy up. - Credit: Archant
Seafront traders have voiced their delight after work was undertaken to tidy up an eyesore blighting the area.
The much-criticised boating lake at Felixstowe has been given a summer tidy up. - Credit: Archant
The state of the redundant boating lake next to the prom at Felixstowe had been labelled “disgraceful”, and was said to be giving a bad impression to visitors to the resort.
Suffolk Coastal and the Felixstowe Futures group had been looking at a range of options for the site after it was found it would cost £100,000 – money the council does not have – to repair and bring it back into use as an attraction.
Residents and town councillors suggested a variety of ideas, including filling it with sand to use for beach volleyball.
Felixstowe Futures held discussions to possibly use it for BMX cycle riders or fairground rides. The site also proved too rough for skateboarding.
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The main problem for the council was that any changes at the boating lake would be short term as the lake will be needed as a compound for construction workers building the town’s new multi-million pound pier.
After considering various projects, it was agreed to complete the draining of the lake, remove all rubbish, paint the perimeter wall the town colour of royal blue, and then put tubs of colourful flowers around the outside.
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Joseph James, programme manager for Felixstowe Futures, said the go-kart track would also be painted and the area continually maintained and kept tidy.
He said: “The Norfolk and Suffolk community payback team and probation service have done an excellent job for us.
“It looks far more presentable and we aim to keep it that way.
“A health and safety officer is going to look at the site and advise us on other possible uses we might examine. If the pier plan was to slip behind then we might look at other ideas.”
Stan Harris, who runs the Ocean Boulevard amusements on the prom, said: “I am pleased the work has been done and I think it looks 10 times better.
“We just wanted it tidied up until something can be done there.”
