PERMANENT repairs could be made to Clevedon’s Marine Lake to prevent the seafront attraction leaking water.

PERMANENT repairs could be made to Clevedon’s Marine Lake to prevent the seafront attraction leaking water.

About �100,000 could be needed to patch up the seawall of the lake, which is regularly used by youngsters and adults enjoying activities such as sailing.

In the past, repairs have been made to the lake on a piecemeal basis and about five years ago �40,000 was spent.

However, now the council is looking into spending more money to make the seawall repairs permanent and reduce the likelihood of having to spend more in the future.

A report was ordered and it concluded the project could cost about �100,000.

To help with some of the funding, a bid could be made to the Heritage Lottery Fund. If successful, and depending on the amount of money the council has available, additional improvements could also be made to the area, such as bringing the lake’s children’s pool back into action.

Clevedon town and North Somerset councillor Carl Francis-Pester said: “If there is a way to resolve all of the outstanding issues then we would be silly not to go with it. Clearly the lake wall is not in a terribly good condition.

“What we really need to know first is exactly what the size of the repair could be and how permanent it would be if all of the money is spent.

“We don’t just want a bigger bill this time and then find it is still not a permanent repair.”

Clevedon’s Marine Lake is a popular attraction and is home to MARLENS (The Marine Lake Enthusiasts Society), whose members have worked tirelessly to promote the lake and bring it back to its former glory.

It now hosts the MARLENS festival every summer and throughout the year is used by members of Clevedon Model Boat Club, Clevedon Sailing Club, Clevedon Canoe Club, Middle Yeo Surf Life Saving Club and many school pupils from across North Somerset.

Repairs to the lake are needed to prevent the water level diminishing, however, any decision on funding such a project could be affected by cuts in the Government’s spending review, which will be announced on October 20.

Additional details on how the cuts will affect North Somerset are expected to filter down from Government over the following few months.

If less money becomes available and funding is needed for more important issues, the Marine Lake project could be at risk of being side-lined.