Key worker concerned about Lido visitors flooding bus service
A WEEKEND heatwave combined with eased lockdown restrictions saw Londoners rush to the beach.
The trouble is that there’s only one beach in London – Ruislip Lido.
The lido was completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of people who came to visit, making social distancing impossible, and since then Hillingdon Council has made the decision to close it “in the interest of public safety”.
Pictures showed the beach itself completed packed, and now a video sent in by a MyLondon reader has shown the consequences elsewhere.
Kathryn Low, a key worker, had been on her feet all day, and when the first bus arrived at her stop it drove straight past as it was too full.
Kathryn said: “I was like ‘okay’ and luckily there was another bus coming shortly after. I thought if I can’t get on this I have to wait over 20 minutes for another one.
“Bearing in mind I had been on my feet at work all day and had been out the house since 8am, I just wanted to get home. I was fuming to see so many people on the bus and all I wanted to do was go home and rest.”
She took pictures and a video showing a vast number of people exiting the bus – including topless men who had clearly been enjoying a day out at Ruislip Lido.
The key worked added: “People are becoming selfish and not thinking. I think people think this coronavirus has gone away and they can go out.
“Since the buses became free I have seen how much busier the buses have been and I think that key workers should be given priority.
“I could potentially be late for work because someone is going out for the day and there isn’t enough space on the bus for me to get on.
“This is what I’m worried about.
“People are not thinking about social distancing and it makes me angry that people just come and stand right next to you at the bus stop. People need to start thinking.”
Announcing the decision to shut the lido beach on Monday June 1, Hillingdon Council said in a statement: “Given the number and size of our parks and open spaces the police simply do not have the resources to deal with those putting others at risk by not abiding by the guidance.
“Accordingly, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily close the beach at Ruislip Lido in response to visitors not adhering to social distancing guidelines at the site.
“Whilst we wanted to keep the beach open for recreation in line with Government guidance, and are aware that many residents are sticking to guidelines, we have decided to close and fence off the beach in the interest of public safety.”
The council has said the decision to close the lido will be “kept under review” so it is not currently known when it could reopen.