Tamworth Borough Council has approved an emergency Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) banning people from entering the water at Borrowpit Lake, meaning anyone who swims, bathes, or uses inflatables could now face a criminal record. The order, which came into effect after a three-week consultation, was backed by headteachers, Staffordshire Police, and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue, following repeated reports of visitors ignoring safety signage.
What the PSPO Means for Visitors
The PSPO specifically prohibits individuals from entering, swimming, bathing, or immersing themselves in the water, as well as using inflatables, dinghies, canoes, or similar vessels without permission. It also makes it an offence to encourage others to enter the water. Breaching the order can result in a fixed penalty notice or prosecution, potentially leading to a criminal record.
Anyone wishing to enter the water must now obtain permission from Tamworth Borough Council. However, provision has been made to allow The Lamb Angling Club and Tamworth Sea Cadets to continue their legitimate use of the lake.
Consultation and Community Support
The consultation on the PSPO concluded on 22 July, with the majority of formal responses supporting the measure. Jo Sands, assistant director of regulatory services, community safety and partnerships, told cabinet members: "There was quite a lot of support via our social media when we first went out to consultation. We've had nine formal emails in, most in favour, 67 per cent, some object to PSPOs and we also saw comments about us being heavy handed or spoiling the fun."
She added: "We're not there to necessarily go out and enforce and issue people £100 fines. It's just there really to strengthen that partnership approach with our partners who very strongly express the concern around Borrowpit Lake this time of year and during the last heat wave."
Why the Order Was Needed
The decision follows a recent increase in antisocial behaviour around the lake and persistent reports of people entering the water despite clear warnings about the dangers. Councillor Andrew Wells, portfolio holder for cooperative council, community partnerships and ASB, said: "The safety of our residents and visitors is our absolute priority. We've seen a recent increase in antisocial behaviour around the lake and we continue to see people entering Borrowpit Lake despite repeated warnings about the very real dangers."
He highlighted the risks: "Even on the warmest days, cold water shock, hidden hazards and sudden drops in depth can have devastating consequences. We do not want to wait until a tragedy occurs before taking further action."
Prevention Over Enforcement
Council leader Carol Dean defended the decision, stating: "It's the responsible thing to do. We know that there's an issue, so it's not something we can ignore and we need to use whatever means we've got."
The council has stressed that the aim is prevention, not enforcement. "Our aim is prevention, not enforcement. We want to take every reasonable step to protect people, particularly during the busy summer holiday period when more children and young people are likely to visit the lake," added Councillor Wells.
Next Steps
Additional signage is set to be installed later this month at the community asset to inform residents and visitors of the new PSPO. The council will work with partners to ensure the order is understood and respected, with enforcement as a last resort.
