THIS IS THE SIGHT London Fields Lido users have been hankering after: a pool full of water glistening under a bright blue sky.

The snatch photograph, exclusive to Loving Dalston, was taken a few hours ago.

The canopy placed over the pool so work could continue on rainy days was removed several weeks ago and workers at the site have been busy also on ancillary jobs.

Hackney council was today asked to confirm that repairs to fix leaks caused by loose tiles were on schedule and that the promised opening date for the Lido, today week, was likely to be achieved.

The council has not yet replied, which could be worrying, or it could be an indication simply of Friday-afternoon syndrome, when the last thing a press office wants is a query from a journalist a few hours before the weekend starts.

The heated Olympic-length (50-metre) pool has had more than a few problems over the last few decades. It is only just over 10 years since it was reopened after £2 million-plus was spent on refurbishment in response to 18 years of campaigning by local residents.

David Altheer 220917

* Backstory: September end: Hackney sets Lido date; Lido repairs going well, says contractor; Late reprieve for lido; Hiring a contractor is not going swimmingly; Lido’s off-the-wall horror; Hackney pulls plug on Haggy Baths hopes

* Pictures © David.Altheer [at] gmail.com

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