Local youngsters have been spotted cavorting on rafts on the Clegg - the dangerous stretch of water where teenager John Simmons died less than three months ago.

Despite warnings from local residents, the council is yet to install any safety equipment. They have also torn down a temporary barrier - put up to protect youngsters from the lake in Thatto Heath - and replaced it with an unlocked gate.

Residents living nearby have managed to reinstall the barrier but say youngsters are using the new gate as a climbing frame and two had to rescued from the top of it only two days ago.

Worried parents say it is only a matter of time before there is an accident by the gate or a repeat of the John Simmons tragedy.

The 15-year-old died in the lake's icy waters back in February. He had been with four other boys on makeshift rafts when one of them capsized and all five boys were thrown into the water.

John was unable to make it to the lake's banks and was pronounced dead later that night.

Despite meetings with John's parents and local residents, the council have still yet to decide on the fate of the local lake. The Simmons - and many Thatto Heath residents - want the lake filled in.

Mike Fenlon, who has been campaigning since January to see more safety measures round the Clegg, said: "Last Thursday I watched them demolish it and put a gate up. At the moment it is like a climbing frame and an open to invite to youngsters."

The barrier, by his house on Falhouse Gardens, was erected after the council bulldozed down part of the fence for a public right of way. Since then, local residents have been trying to get the footpath closed to make sure the fence can be reinstated.

At the moment they are putting an appeal through St Helens Magistrates.
John Simmons, John's dad, said: "I am backing Mike 100 per cent. Mike and his wife have just had another baby, the last thing they need is to worry about the safety of their other children.

"We will continue to campaign to make that stretch of water is made safe, like I have said before I do not want another child to die like our John did."

A council spokeswoman said: "The council is continuing to work through the legal processes regarding diverting the right of way. In the meantime it has been agreed to keep the site secure on a temporary basis until the matter has been resolved.

She added: "The council is considering looking at safety measures but we can only do that once the legal process regarding the footpath has been resolved.

"Every year United Utilities and the council issue warnings about playing on or near open water and we would appeal to parents and others to heed to the warnings."