Call for algae-hit Radipole Lake in Weymouth to be cleaned

Authorities said earlier this month they were going to clear Radipole Lake at Weymouth Swannery which has been covered in a green film for weeks.

But the algae blooms - which form on the water in hot weather - remain.

People enjoying the warm weather - and as temperatures soared yesterday on the hottest day of the year so far - called for an urgent clean up at the beauty spot.

As reported, several seagulls were found dead on top of the algae which has built up on the Swannery near Westham Bridge.

READ: Seagulls found dead on Radipole Lake Weymouth

Algae bloom on Radipole Lake by Westham Bridge in Weymouth (Image: Andy Jones)

Following an investigation by Dorset Council it was revealed the algae bloom is not toxic and was not responsible for killing wildlife.

The council previously said that work would begin 'soon' on clearing the algae, but two weeks on and there is no sign of it being removed. 

Mr and Mrs Peek sat by Radipole Lake on a daytrip from Bath (Image: Andy Jones)

Diane and Trevor Peek, from Bath, said Weymouth was a 'lovely' place - but said it was a 'shame' the algae has not been cleared up.

Mr and Mrs Peek said: "We come to Weymouth a lot and we thought the algae was because of the heat.

"It is a shame, it is spread all over the lake.

"Weymouth is so up together but the car park is just there and the algae is the first thing you see.

"We would like to see it cleaned up - it would be a lot better for Weymouth."

READ: Food poisoning gulls as lake toxins ruled out as cause

Hazel Ross, visiting from Manchester  was left 'disappointed' that a sign on the seafront describing a boating lake was not entirely accurate.

She said: "I was attracted to the sign and the boating lake but when I got here there was a vast expanse of algae - it was very disappointing."

Algae build up near the Gurkha restaurant at the Swannery in Wetmouth (Image: Andy Jones)

It is not only tourists who want to see action taken over the green film.

A spokesperson from the Gurkha restaurant say they have asked the council many times over the years to clean it due to the smell which customers have complained about before.

He said: "It is not as bad this year - I think because we have had too much rain. 

"They should clean it once a year because every year the smell comes and customers complain.

"It is not very nice and if they clean it it is better for us and the customers. Once a year would be okay."

Logan Masters, 18, thinks the algae is not a good look for visiting tourists (Image: Andy Jones)

Logan Masters, 18 from Portland, works in the town centre and said he sees the algae bloom every day on his way to work and thinks it is not a great look for people visiting the town.

He said: A lot of tourists come down and they see the algae, it must be disappointing for them. 

"It also affects the wildlife. My granddad has a little pond and the algae on that affects everything, it is not very good so he cleans it."

John Boneham, from Weymouth, thinks the council should clean up the algae as well and remembers how much better the lake was when he was a child.

He said: " I think they should (clean it). The other week I saw a couple of birds that got caught in it and they could not get out.

"I remember as a child we use to have swan boats and the water was so clear and tidy - it is bad now.

"They (the council) need to clean it up."

Dorset Council has been contacted regarding when the clean up work will begin but has yet to respond.