SEVERN TRENT'S VISITOR CENTRE AT SHUSTOKE REOPENS TO PUBLIC FROM TODAY

ATHERSTONE and North Warwickshire lovers of beautiful scenery and tranquil water have another place to explore again following the gentle easing of coronavirus restrictions on outdoor exercise and travel.

Local day trippers looking for something to do on the warmest day of the year can head across the district to Shustoke to take in Severn Trent's visitor centre.

The site on Reservoir Drive has been closed since mid-March when the pandemic forced the Government into draconian lockdown measures to stem the spread of Covid-19.

The North Warwickshire centre reopened today along with seven others across the Midlands.

The company is beginning a careful, gradual return of its visitor sites during May and June.

It has introduced a number of measures to keep visitors as safe as possible, 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.

In addition to Shustoke, the other smaller centres which opened were Nanpantan, Thornton and Stanford in Leicestershire; Ogston and Lincare in Derbyshire; Priorslee in Telford; and Trimpley in Worcestershire.

The larger sites – the nearest being Staunton Harold, Foremark and Carsington in Derbyshire and Draycote Water in Warwickshire – will remain closed for now, while further plans are worked up to reflect the larger number of visitors expected.

Severn Trent visitor experience lead Dominic Robinson said: "With the restrictions to outdoor activity and travel eased, we know our visitor sites will provide a way for people to get outside and to enjoy some exercise.

"While we're reopening our smaller sites, our top priority remains the safety of our visitors, staff and tenants.

"So, if, after the smaller sites have reopened, we're confident our plans are working well, and social distancing is being maintained, we'll look to open our larger sites over the coming weeks."

Severn Trent is also warning they will be carefully monitoring visitor numbers and may need to close sites if too many people turn up at once.

The company therefore advises people to check the website and relevant social media feeds for the sites before travelling to see what facilities are open, and what measures are in place.

Shustoke – open dawn til dusk – has one main car park and a parking charge £1 for the whole day, £21 for an annual pass or £60 for a multi-site parking permit . Call 0330 6780 701 for further information.

All current information on visitor sites can be found by clicking here.

Severn Trent factfile:

The company has 4.3 million customer connections, serves almost eight million people, and has the longest sewer network outside London – with enough pipes to go round the Earth almost three-and-a-half times