News

evern Trent has now opened all of its visitor sites again, after they were closed in March to help limit the spread of coronavirus.

The company has introduced a number of measures to keep visitors as safe as possible across its sites, including closing some footpaths, introducing one-way systems and keeping all playgrounds shut.

Hand sanitiser will be provided in some car parks and toilets, although the number of toilets available will be reduced.

Donna Marshall, Senior Visitor Engagement Officer at Severn Trent said: “We want to thank everyone for their patience while we worked on opening all of our sites safely again, as we know just how popular they are. We started by opening our smaller sites first and monitored how it went, and now we’re happy to say that all sites are open again for people to safely enjoy.

“The safety of our visitors, teams and communities still remains the top priority, so we are really asking everyone who visits to follow social distancing on site, and any new measures put in place so we can keep them open for people to come for picnics, walks or even a cycle.”

Severn Trent is encouraging people to check which measures are in place before travelling and to be willing to turn around if the site has had to close due to becoming too full. They are also asking for people to leave sites as they found them, as rangers have been left to fill bags of rubbish after having to clean up after picnics in the hot weather.

“We really want everyone to enjoy the sites now they’re open again. That means everyone being respectful and helping the local communities by parking only in our car parks and not on neighbouring roads, and making sure no rubbish and litter is left across the site and put in the bins provided,” adds Donna. “With the recent hot weather, lots of people came to our sites for picnics which is lovely to see, but unfortunately there was a lot of rubbish left behind, which is not great for the environment and wildlife on site, so we just ask if people can simply tidy up after themselves.

“We’d be extremely grateful for everyone’s cooperation, it’s important that we’re looking out for the community and environment, so we can make sure that everyone who comes to visit can enjoy our beautiful sites again.”

For more information on all the Severn Trent visitor sites, and to check what facilities and measures are in place, please visit: stwater.co.uk/wonderful-on-tap/our-visitor-sites/come-visit-us/reopening-our-visitor-sites/