Residents in Abingdon are angry that the town's open-air pool remains closed during the hot weather.

With temperatures at times exceeding 25C, people are disappointed that the open air pool at Abbey Meadow has not yet opened.

The neighbouring splash pad and fountains have now been switched on, but the pool is not scheduled to open until July 20.

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For the second year running, the outdoor pool is opening in late July and closing for the season in early September.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) Bosses at the Vale of White Horse District Council say it is expensive to run, so it can't open for a longer period this year as they have to be careful with spending.

But they have pledged to look at ways to keep the pool open for longer in future, although they have not provided any details so far.

The late opening of the pool has prompted a series of comments on the town's Facebook group questioning why the pool can't be open for longer.

One resident said the decision to open for such a limited period made her "so angry", particularly when people were being advised to exercise more.

Another resident pointed out that Hinksey outdoor pool in Oxford opened in April, and said there were 80 people there at 6am to celebrate the summer solstice.

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People are still signing an existing online petition launched by Friends of Abbey Meadow Outdoor Pool urging the Vale council to re-think. So far, there are more than 1,400 signatures.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) Vegetation has been allowed to grow up around the pool side but the council said contractors are about to cut this back.

One resident who walked past in recent weeks said she was "shocked to see the state of the outdoor pool", commenting that the weeds were two feet high in places.

Victoria Nickless, a spokeswoman for the Vale of White Horse District Council, said work was being carried out to ensure the pool was ready to open on July 20.

She said: "The council’s leisure provider GLL is cracking on with the all the hard work required to get the pool and the surrounding area ready and raring to go for the summer season.

“There's lots going on behind the scenes, including some retiling in the pool and annual maintenance of the plant room.

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"GLL will begin filling the pool in the next two weeks and grounds maintenance work in the surrounding area will get under way - that will include trimming the grass and cutting back any other foliage, along with anything else needed to get the site ship shape and ready to go.

“Everything is on schedule ready for the big public opening on July 20."

(Image: Andy Ffrench) The open-air pool was saved from closure in 2006 by a campaign backed by Abingdon Town Council and the Abingdon Herald.

Campaigners again fought to save the pool when it faced closure in 2015 and a petition with more than 2,200 names was handed to council leaders.

It reopened in 2018 following a £1.3m refurbishment.

It is understood that the GLL (Better) leisure group, which is running the pool for the Vale council, has a contract until 2026.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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