Campaigner Jade welcomes splash park a decade later

Jade Goodfellow launched her campaign over a decade ago and, while it is now too late for her own children, she said she hoped the project would finally go ahead.

Cumberland Council has listed the splash park, BMX and skate track and upgrades to Shiver Me Timbers as some of the projects that could be funded following a decision not to build a new swimming pool in the town.

Maryport regeneration plans get thumbs up from campaigning mums (Image: Gillian Easterbrook)

The projects, plus a toilet and cafe or kiosk on the promenade, are all dependent on the Government allowing the £5.1million pool funding to be redirected.

Mrs Goodfellow said the campaign was launched because local mothers were taking their children to Silloth and Carlisle because there was so little in Maryport.

"We wanted attractions here that would not only save us from having to travel but would also bring visitors to the town - as is the case in Silloth."

Jade Goodfellow who started a campaign for better play areas a decade ago (Image: Submitted)

While the Maryport Town Council backed the plan, former councillor and mayor Peter Kendall said this week that he believed it would be vandalised.

"We had the millennium paddling pool on the promenade," he said.

"People used to wash their dogs in it when they came off the beach and there were glass bottles smashed in it.

"It was a health hazard and think the same will happen with the splash pad."

Mrs Goodfellow agreed that vandalism could be an issue but said in Silloth the amusement arcade owners kept an eye on the splash pad and if the Maryport one was built near the proposed kiosk, operators there could also keep an eye on it.

"I think the splash pad and improvements to Shiver Me Timbers would be a great boost to the town, especially now that the Harbour Authority has a camping and caravan area which is bringing more visitors to the harbour.

"It would be great for residents and visitors too."