Safety first as council postpones pool opening for essential work.

Arbroath: New non-slip surface must be safe before summer fun begins

A special coating is being applied to an Angus paddling pool to prevent accidents this summer.

Last year, as part of efforts to spruce up the beachfront for caravan holidaymakers and local children on school holidays, Angus Council maintenance workers put a fresh coat of blue paint on the pool, but a number of children were left nursing cuts and bruises after slipping on the reconditioned surface.

The work will delay the season opening at Arbroath’s West Links attraction until council bosses are confident the new non-slip surface is safe and ready for young visitors.

Fencing has been erected around the pool and the site is currently closed off to the public, with opening scheduled for next month.

A council spokesperson said: “Work is being undertaken at the West Links paddling pool that will make the attraction more durable. It is being shot blasted and coated with epoxy resinbased paint which is harder wearing than the chlorinated rubber paint that has been used previously.

“Any additional concrete repairs that are identified will also be made during this project.

“It will mean that the pool is ready for use a week later than normal, opening on Tuesday June 12, but we hope that people understand this is as a result of essential maintenance that could not be postponed until the end of the summer season.”

Arbroath West and Letham Independent councillor David Fairweather said: “I know there have been some complaints that the pool is not yet open, but I think people would agree that it is important that the playing environment is as safe as possible.

“Of course, the possibility of slipping cannot be eliminated completely, but this new treatment should make a real difference.

“I think we need to bear in mind that this work is necessary, and also reflects the significant investment that the West Links area has seen over recent years, and I think this investment is certainly paying off in terms of the amount of people I see enjoying themselves in the area.”

Picture: Paul Reid. Workers sandblast the old painted surface away at Arbroath paddling pool.

Youngsters will be able to splash safely in the West Links paddling pool after it has had its makeover.