SWIMMERS are trying to reach a compromise with the canal organisation that banned them from a local reservoir.

British Waterways recently installed a new ‘no swimming’ sign at Sparth Reservoir between Marsden and Slaithwaite.

The move sparked anger from local residents who have used the reservoir for swimming for decades.

But now the two sides are trying to reach a compromise and met at the reservoir yesterday to discuss how to resolve the problem.

Representatives from Save Sparth Swimming joined Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney to talk to the head of health and safety and the regional manager from British Waterways.

Campaigner Fiona Weir said: “It was a very positive meeting and they have invited us as local swimmers to submit a plan for how risk could be managed at the reservoir.

“We have been very clear with them that we don’t want organised swim sessions and people will still continue to swim there when they want to.

“But we have agreed on a few points such as minimising risks, educating people who go down there and making it more organised such as maybe introducing a club membership and education programme.”

The group will now formulate an action plan to submit to British Waterways.

Initially British Waterways stuck by its move to ban all swimming at the reservoir, saying that a by-law was being broken.

However, after dozens of people defied the ban by taking a dip in the reservoir, the canal organisation was forced to rethink.

The group Save Sparth Swimming says the reservoir has been used by the public for decades.

And they have uncovered 12 Examiner articles which refer to people swimming in the reservoir. The earliest story is from 1950.

MP Jason McCartney said after yesterday’s meeting: “It was a very productive meeting and the group is going to go away and come back and put forward some proposals to British Waterways on how they would be able to manage and organise safe swimming at the reservoir.

“It’s all about addressing safety issues as much as we can.

“I was pleased with the constructive way the meeting went and I hope there is a way forward.”