Plymouth lido season extended as early-morning parking costs eased

Tinside Lido stays open longer as Plymouth responds to parking concerns

Plymouth lido season extended as council eases early-morning parking concerns Drivers heading to Tinside Lido in Plymouth have been given some welcome parking news after the outdoor pool extended its season following an exceptionally busy summer. Tinside Lido, which overlooks Plymouth Sound in Devon, was due to close on Sunday but will now remain open until 27 September. Early swimmers given parking reprieve Plymouth City Council said it would not enforce parking regulations near the lido before 08:00 BST, allowing early swimmers to park without being charged. The decision follows concerns raised by swimmers about the cost of parking when visiting the lido early in the morning. Parking in the area currently costs £2.80 an hour, making the council's decision particularly relevant to regular visitors attending early sessions. Councillor John Stephens, cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, described the approach as a pragmatic response to concerns raised by swimmers. The issue of parking costs has also led to suggestions for a dedicated annual permit for regular lido users. Reform UK councillor Helen Kelly suggested an annual permit costing between £80 and £100, although no such scheme has been introduced. The council said special parking rates would require wider consideration because the Hoe is used by other groups, while changes would also require public consultation. Tinside Lido stays open for two more weeks The parking decision comes as Plymouth Active Leisure extends Tinside Lido's season by two weeks after what it described as one of its busiest and most successful summers in recent memory. The extended programme will include additional school swimming sessions and Swim Safe activities covering cold water awareness, floating techniques and staying safe around coastal waters. Plymouth Active Leisure said it hoped the lido would record more than 100,000 visits by the end of the season, with extra sessions also being offered to schools. The organisation said extending the season would create more opportunities for children to develop swimming and water safety skills. The move comes as national figures show almost one in three children leave primary school unable to swim 25 metres. For drivers visiting Tinside Lido, the current arrangement means parking enforcement will not take place before 08:00 near the pool, while the wider question of special parking rates remains under consideration. With the lido now staying open until 27 September, visitors planning early swims will have more time to make use of the extended season and should still check local parking restrictions when travelling.