Lifeguards plea for urgent repair work (From Barry And District News)

Lifeguards plea for urgent repair work

THE KNAP'S vital lifeguard service could be lost if their dilapidated base is not repaired urgently.

Voluntary workers have been in the present location since 1967 and are the only ones on duty at weekends since the beach inspector's job was removed.

But the building the lifeguards use is in a shocking state of disrepair and may soon have to be abandoned.

In 1988 the toilet block closed and the right hand side of the building was converted into a lifeguard station.

But the left half of the building is in ruins, it is rat infested and is continually being vandalised and broken into.

Phil Rees has been a lifeguard in the area since 1969. The 50-year-old said: "I am extremely worried that the building will get to a stage when it is more viable to simply demolish it than spend money on repairs.

"We are the only lifeguards here at the weekend and are prepared for life-saving.

"The building is secured to the best of our ability but the area needs to be made safer. We have spoken to the Vale council about our problems but we need something to be done now."

Phil, a Barry College engineering lecturer, said: "The Cold Knap Regeneration Project is just across the way but this building is an eyesore. All summer long we have had comments from people about the mess of the lifeguard station."

A spokesman for the Vale of Glamorgan Council said: "In conjunction with current improvements being carried in The Knap area, the council is considering a number of matters in relation to this building.

"The council has not been made aware of any recent specific complaints relating to problems with rats at this location."