THE future of a controversial Canvey paddling pool will be investigated following a fierce debate over safety.

Concord Beach tidal pool has been closed then reopened in recent weeks following a number of safety reports.

The concrete bottomed pool has long faced scrutiny for its slippery surface and a draft report by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa) highlighted a catalogue of failings and said the pool must close for improvements to be made.

Independent councillor Colin Letchford commissioned the report as he feared it was not safe for children.

However, Castle Point Council’s own independent report said otherwise and the pool was reopened.

Mr Letchford was then told by the council not to speak to the Echo about the pool.

Dave Blackwell, chair of the council’s scrutiny committee, has decided to investigate the safety of the pool.

He said: “We need to know if the pool is safe and at the moment we are in danger of sending out the wrong message.

“We’re at risk of people thinking it’s unsafe and not coming to Canvey during the summer.

“There’s been so much talk, so many reports and something needs to be done.”

It’s hoped the scrutiny meeting, which will be open t o the public, will take place in June.

Mr Blackwell said: “We need to get this sorted before summer starts. We’re going to call in experts, get people down to look at the pool and speaking to people who are independent.

“At the moment the risk is, if Colin Letchford keeps saying it’s unsafe, the council might just shut the pool down.

“This needs to be considered properly. People have been taking their kids down the pool for years and in Chalkwell and Southend similar pools do not have these problems, they just have one sign warning it’s a slippery surface.”

Signs are in place warning people about the slippery surface and the concrete is regularly covered over with shingle following regular calls for investment.

Colin Letchford added: “I’m pleased Dave has called this in, the only thing I can say is why has this taken so long? It all started in 2010.

“Only yesterday I saw a toddler fall on the wall and I hope the council follows the advice of Rospa.”