TEIGNMOUTH’S open air Lido what been officially reopened for the first time in three years.

The popular heated 25 m pool has benefited from an £800,000 decarbonisation scheme to reduce the pool’s carbon footprint, cut running costs and make it financially and environmentally sustainable.

Town district and county councillor David Cox said: ‘When a third of all Council pools are closed because of energy costs, it’s great to have a ‘decarbonised’ pool.’

A new team of staff from Teignbridge Leisure have been recruited to run the Eastcliff Walk pool, which first opened in 1976. 

It suffered various setbacks since the Covid pandemic.

The work had been due to be completed in time for the school holidays last year but instability issues with the foundations of the solar pergola foundation and problems with material supply extended the construction time.

Now families and swimmers can enjoy the upgraded facilities which reopened to the public on one of the best days of the year.

Crowds gathered to take a dip.

One of the swimmers who took the plunge on the first day, Sandie East said: ‘I went on Saturday, weather fabulous and it was great to have it open again.’ 

As well as the heated pool, there are changing rooms with hot showers and toilets and lockers available.

General and fun swims will be available on a pay per use basis.

Peter Grimsey said: ‘Great to see the Lido reopening at last. Hope the pool is kept busy. 

‘Weather looks good and half term so should be a good week. 

‘I’ll be in for a swim soon.’ 

Cllr John Nutley, executive member for sport, recreation and wellbeing said it was ‘absolutely fantastic’ to reopen Teignmouth Lido.

He said: ‘It’s nice to see so many people coming already, we just want people to come, be active and enjoy themselves.

‘Teignmouth is a lovely place to visit in any case, but the Lido, to be able to come in beautiful weather, hopefully everybody is going to enjoy themselves throughout the summer