TEIGNMOUTH Lido will not open this summer.

Teignbridge Counciul has said that ‘unforeseen issues and construction delays on the £800,000 decarbonisation scheme at Teignmouth Lido means that it will not open this summer.’

The work was scheduled to be completed in time for the school holidays but instability issues with the foundations of the solar pergola foundation and problems with material supply has extended the construction time.

A council spokesperson said: ‘Although we expect most of the work to be completed in the coming weeks, the systems will need to be tested and commissioned before final cleaning and maintenance work undertaken to allow the pool to be filled, treated and heated.

‘This would leave just a few days of the school holidays where the pool could be opened, and the cost of this, allied to difficulties in recruiting leisure and pool staff, means it will not be financially or operationally viable for the Lido to open until next year.’

Teignbridge District Council’s Executive Member for Leisure Services, Cllr John Nutley, said: ‘We have spent upwards of £800k of government funding on this major project to help reduce the Lido’s carbon footprint, cut running costs and make it financially and environmentally sustainable.

‘Despite our best endeavours we’ve faced critical delays, long lead times and problems getting hold of materials and the combination of these issues has extended the project timescale.

‘We know this will come as a huge disappointment to local people and visitors. We are sorry that the challenging construction and supply issues have delayed the project.

‘Rather than spending money on reopening The Lido for just a few days, we’re going to provide Teignbridge community lidos with a one-off contribution towards their additional running costs to help them continue to support outdoor swimming opportunities.’

Teignmouth’s blue flag beach is lifeguarded throughout the summer holiday season for those who want to enjoy outdoor swimming.