The Charlton Champion

A bit late with this, but it’s been confirmed that Charlton Lido’s long-delayed refurbishment has been given a boost with a grant from the Mayor of London, part of a £12m scheme to develop grassroots sport across the capital. GLL is to develop a heated pool at the lido for next summer, which last opened in 2009 before the failed scheme to turn it into a diving centre.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “From hockey in Hillingdon to karate in Kingston, we are storming ahead to revamp facilities and increase sports participation across the board. This investment, which sees some hugely important match funding being pledged, is fantastic news for Londoners of all ages and abilities from across the city. I am absolutely clear that to create a lasting legacy from the London Games, we must do all we can to get people out of their living rooms and into physical activity.”

Meanwhile, work has started on the BMX track in Hornfair Park – you can hear a debate on the issue from the last meeting of Greenwich Council (on 29 June) below, featuring campaigner Toni Hale, Conservative leader Spencer Drury (8 mins 40 secs in), and leisure cabinet member John Fahy (9 mins 50 secs in).

Separately, one of the entrances to the park, on Charlton Park Lane, is closed until 25 July for works to fix a water leak – but other entrances remain open. The park is now supposed to be closed at nights – although I’ve seen the gates open at 11pm recently. Is the council living up to its promises?