The children’s paddling pool in Greenhead Park won’t re-open this summer as planned.

The newly-renovated pool has failed safety tests and anyway Kirklees Council says with an imminent hosepipe ban and drought status for Yorkshire, it wouldn’t be possible to fill the pool.

System testing – a legal requirement and also needed with the pool being shut for two years – took place earlier this month.

Unfortunately, initial test results failed which means the pool cannot be opened safely even when chemically treated as per an approved treatment schedule.

Additionally, with a hosepipe ban coming into force on Friday August 26 and drought status declared on Tuesday by the Environment Agency, the council would not be in a position to fill the pool for reopening.

The paddling pool is not the only thing affected by the hosepipe and drought status announcements.

Washing of council vehicles will halt with the exception of bin wagons and highway maintenance vehicles.

The hosepipe ban will also mean bedding plants and trees planted around the district will not be watered, so residents may see trees start to lose their leaves as they go into drought mode and bedding plants die off.

Parks teams will also monitor water levels at ponds in the district’s parks to ensure they don’t drop to levels which would endanger the wildlife that live there, taking appropriate action if this was to happen.

Clr Naheed Mather, Cabinet member for environment, said: “I am disappointed the paddling pool will not be able to open this summer. However, the health and safety of those using it are paramount as well as the preservation of our precious water supply.

“We must do everything we can to reduce our water usage and be more mindful of when and how we use our water.”