CAMBRIDGE City Council is hosting a public open day on Sunday 11 March at East Cambridge Lakes, the flooded chalk pits at the end of Mill Road which it is hoped will be turned into a local country park.

Residents are being invited to visit this urban oasis, which is not normally accessible to the public, between 10am and 3pm.

The site is jointly owned by the council, Anderson Group and the University of Cambridge. It is proposed in the Local Plan for Cambridge that the lakes be developed into a new country park for residents and visitors.

During the open day, a team from the council will be on hand to welcome people, introduce the site, and explain some of the proposals for its development. There is a 1.7km unmade circular path around the lakes, so stout footwear is recommended, but there are currently no visitor facilities.

Visitors will be able to access the site at the end of Burnside, which is located at the eastern end of Mill Road or from the Cherry Hinton direction by using the ‘Snaky’ path or the Tins Cycle Route.

There will be no onsite parking, so visitors are encouraged to travel to the site by foot, bicycle or public transport.

Visitors with special access requirements should contact parks@cambridge.gov.uk in advance.

Visitors are requested not to bring dogs in order to avoid disturbing wintering wildfowl, and adults are asked to ensure their children are supervised at all times.