COUNCILLORS have been asked to spend £1,000 on two signs ... telling people they can swim in a reservoir.

British Waterways put up notices last year ordering people to stay out of Sparth Reservoir near Marsden.

A protest group was formed after residents complained that the area had been a popular swimming spot for generations.

British Waterways has now agreed to support new signs encouraging people to swim responsibly.

Kirklees Council’s Colne Valley Area Committee will decide next week whether to spend £1,000 on two notices at the reservoir next to Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Council officials wrote: “Based on previous experience we estimate that £1,000 will cover the costs of production and installation of two signs at the reservoir.”

The signs would:

Provide information about swimming at Sparth.

Encourage responsible swimming.

Urge parents to take responsibility for their children at the site.

A council spokeswoman said yesterday that the proposed notices were “non-standard signs” which would be provided by British Waterways.

Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney queried the cost last night.

“It seems like a lot of money – I would question the figure of £1,000,” he said.

But the Conservative added that he was in favour of the signs in principle.

“It’s a beautiful bit of open water and, during this Olympic year, I would encourage people to enjoy the outdoors,” said Mr McCartney.

“I’m not a big fan of health and safety when it stops people from doing adventurous, fun things.”

Clr Donna Bellamy, who represents the area on Kirklees Council, also backs swimming at Sparth.

“The signs will tell people that they can swim at their own risk and it’s important that they know that,” she said.

The Colne Valley Conservative added: “I haven’t swum there since I was a child but it’s something that everybody did.”

Colne Valley Area Committee will decide whether to fund the signs at a meeting at Marsden Mechanics Hall from 7pm on Thursday.

The proposal was drawn up in consultation with Friends of Sparth Reservoir, who have pledged to maintain the signs if they are installed.