PEOPLE have complained Newquay Boating Lake has turned into a swamp.

A combination of factors including the hot weather has created a huge algae bloom at the popular visitor attraction.

Bruce Carpenter from Newquay Boat Hire, whose responsibility is to control the annual weed issue at the lake, is due to add an eco-friendly treatment, which is a derivative of barley straw.

Resident John Sargeant said: “It really is awful considering the amount of people including tourists and residents that visit the boating lake. The lake is the worst I’ve ever seen it. It’s like a swamp.”

Ian Selwood added: “The boating lake is Newquay’s jewel in the crown.

“It gets covered in weed every year and I’m not sure what can be done about it.

“I feel sorry for the boat hire operator. It must be tough.

“I would hate to see anything happen to the area that would spoil it as a boating lake.”

Resident Dave said: “I’m not sure the problem will go away on its own. It’s not attractive for people when they come down, for the ducks trying to swim or for people trying to run a business.”

Mr Carpenter has lost thousands of pounds in revenue since his hire boats have been put out of action due to the algae bloom and is keen to get “back on track.”

He said: “We took measures to control the weed, and it did work but what we’ve got now is algae, which is totally different.

“The algae was initially cleared manually but it came back with 24 hours. I have a treatment, which is a derivative of barley straw, coming that is plant and duck friendly. It will be added to the lake and hopefully it will keep the algae at bay for the rest of the summer.

“The boat hire has been closed for three weeks now and I’m trying to get back on track. I’ve lost thousands of pounds of revenue.

“It is becoming too much for me to handle on my own but there is no indication there is any help from the council in the pipeline.”

Trenance Cornwall councillor Drew Creek believes the weed and algae bloom problem at the boating lake could be solved through re-wilding.

Cllr Creek said: “I’ve received complaints about the situation at the boating lake.

“One of the first things I did when I became a Cornwall councillor was to call a meeting between officers to understand the future of the boating lake.

“It is a headache nothing has been done to deal with the issue. The problem is the lake is a shallow, still, unoxygenated pool of water that has nutrients fed into it by a stream and surface run off.

“It creates the perfect environment for eutrophication where weed and algae grows in hot weather. This has happened at two or three other boating lakes in Cornwall, so the situation is not unique to Newquay.

“Many people have asked about opening the sluice gate but the Environment Agency is against us allowing brackish water into the boating lake for environmental reasons. Other people talk about dredging the boating lake but that would be really harmful to the natural environment.

“My solution after talking to experts about how to deal with the situation sympathetically is re-wilding aspects of the bank. That would involve planting specific water plants that would oxygenate the water, clarify the water and absorb the nutrients. It would be a natural and clean way to deal with the situation and cost effective but not a quick fix.

“I’m trying to get it costed up, but people are telling me it’s the right way forward.

“I’m really passionate about preserving the boating lake. It is a core part of our history. The way it was dug out 100 years ago. This part of Newquay’s culture needs to be preserved in the right way.”

Newquay Town Council will be supporting Cllr Creek in his efforts to stop the annual weed and algae problem at the boating lake.

Steve Slade, the chairman of the environment and facilities committee, said: “We are working in collaboration with Cllr Creek and any partners and stakeholders involved with the lake to find a long-term solution.

“This weed problem happens every year and its expensive to keep putting on a sticking plaster fix. A re-wilding solution suppling oxygen to the water could create a habitat to stop the algae and provide more biodiversity and increase wildlife in the area but still leave accessibility for the pleasure boats.”