Londoners describe chaos amid 'enormous' queues outside lidos | London Evening Standard

Londoners describe chaos amid 'enormous' queues outside lidos

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Londoners have told of chaos outside the capital’s lidos as they queued for hours to take a dip on the hottest day of the year.

Sweltering swimmers described “enormous” congestion outside open-air pools as some woke up at the crack of dawn to make a splash while others likened the crowds to those outside a nightclub.

But in some cases excitement soon turned to frustration as tensions boiled over when some people reportedly jumped the queue ahead of those who waited for as long as three hours.

Some lidos were forced to close after reaching full capacity despite masses of people outside.

Scenes: One man said it was "absolute scenes" outside Brockwell LidoTom Bennett

Greenwich University student Gerda Pinciute, 20, told the Standard, said she arrived at Tooting Bec lido at around 1pm but remained no nearer the entrance by 4pm before she eventually got in.

Packed: Lidos were busy inside as well as outsideGerda Pinciute

She told the Standard: “It is really frustrating, people have been waiting here for more than four hours but some people are pushing in the queue either right at the front or joining in with their mates.

"There doesn't seem to be much staff down here and it looks as though the lido has reached its maximum capacity. It's very annoying.”

Elsewhere, others described “absolute scenes” outside other lidos as swarms of people attempted to cool down in the water.

Lisa Williams tweeted: “Any lido's in or around London without hour long queues today? Please let me know if you find one... #London #lidos #summer

Journalist Tom Bennett posted: “Absolute scenes at a baking Brockwell Lido in Herne Hill this morning. Queuing started at 6:30am. #britishsummer”.

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Another user posted: “First time I have seen the queue extend to three sides of @Brockwell_Lido!”

While Lauren Martin tweeted: “Just went down to the London Fields lido to treat my boiling organs and lol, it would be quicker to get into fabric on a Saturday than this.”

Today, temperatures reached 32.9C at Heathrow as London baked in the hottest day of the year so far.

The Met Office declared a Level 3 heatwave alert as Public Health England urged people to take care and stay out of the sun.