Grange's £6.8million lido and prom restoration project is on track to be completed this summer.

Work on the Westmorland and Furness Council scheme started in April last year. It will see the lido site open again with a temporary infill to the pool to create a new multi-use public space.

The project will protect the derelict Grade II-listed site’s immense social and cultural heritage in a way which doesn’t preclude the option of bringing the pool back into use sometime in the future by temporarily infilling the pool.

Councillor Jonathan Brook, leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, and Councillor Peter Thornton, cabinet member for highways and assets, visited the site to view progress.

Cllr Brook said: "It was fantastic to see at first hand the progress being made at the lido and on the promenade and I can't wait to see the site open to the public again."

Cllr Thornton added: "This has been a long-running and highly-complex project on an iconic structure, made necessary due to the need to take urgent action to preserve the listed lido structure and not leave future administrations liable for even greater costs.

"It is wonderful to see the project taking shape with work on the lido site which will allow public access and enjoyment and enable others to pursue the aspiration to re-water the pool in the future."

News and Star: View of the diving platform from the central pavilion.
Main contractors RH Irving Construction, based in Carlisle, started work on site in May last year and since then the site has been cleared and demolition work carried out.

Demolition works have started on the existing perimeter walls and retaining walls and timber boarding has been removed from the pavilion.

Sea wall repairs have been carried out, as well as installation of the new drainage system and steps to the north and south buildings.

Extensive external and internal repairs and upgrading works are being carried out in all existing buildings, including concrete repairs and rebuilding work.

The temporary pool infill will soon be completed, along with foundations and brick work to retaining walls and boundary walls, removing internal walls in the pavilion and installing steelwork.

Scheduled work includes replacement of concrete terraces, continued construction of boundary walls, ramps, footpaths and retaining walls; installation of a new water main and preparatory work for a new electrical supply.