Conservative Councillors drop final axe on Hereford's LEA Pool

11.22.39am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 8th Apr 2009

A massive campaign to save the pool included schools, pupils, parents and swimming groups.

Local Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Sarah Carr has condemned Herefordshire's ruling Conservative Councillors for refusing to invest in repairs to Hereford's purpose built teaching swimming pool that has resulted in the pool now being permanently closed. On Thursday 2nd April Conservative Cabinet members voted unanimously to permanently close the pool despite outrage and opposition from local people, many primary schools and users of the pool.

After the debate Sarah Carr said,

"I am deeply saddened to witness Councillors closing such a popular local facility despite opposition from so many local people. It is such a sorry story of mismanagement that has allowed the pool to fall into such disrepair. It is absolutely vital that the Conservative Cabinet now give a cast iron commitment to provide new facilities comparable to the old ones. I am very concerned that the limited resources of the Leisure Pool will be so stretched in providing swimming for so many groups that they will prove to be inadequate. When UK swimming is on the up, this Conservative run council seem determined to drag it down.

"I will continue to work with local groups affected to make sure the Council fulfils its duties to them."