I have had a meeting this week with three representatives of the Hampshire & IOW Wildlife Trust about Testwood lakes.

They are keen to talk to a number of locally elected representatives and stakeholders about the future of Testwood lakes, partly prompted by the tragic incident involving a young boy that drowned, late last month.

To clarify, Testwood Lakes is owned by Southern Water. However, it is managed by the Wildlife Trust as a nature reserve. Swimming is officially prohibited because it is not safe. There are a number of issues, including the nature of the surface that’s underwater, no supervision, the health hazard of blue green algae.

There is a recognition that places like Testwood Lakes are going to be increasingly used by people for recreational purposes. There are a number of drivers, including a great deal more housebuilding in the locality and car parking charges being imposed in New Forest car parks.

The question is, how best to manage increasing recreational uses in a nature reserve, without impacting on nature, keeping people safe, managing all the likely impacts from littering, people lighting barbeques, swimming. It isn’t the same as a country park that makes a charge for entry with Rangers patrolling and enforcing proper behaviour.

The discussions are “early stage” and I suggested a couple of ideas that might work. I am very aware that young people will always seek out fun things to do that cost nothing. The coast, rivers and lakes are attractive places to swim when we get hot weather. It’s impossible to stop it happening everywhere.

Testwood lakes is a fantastic facility and the health benefits to be had by people being able to access it are incalculable. Hopefully, with a number of organisations working together, we can find a way of managing things for the benefit of nature and people.