Civic Society calls for for action over Shrewsbury's Quarry Pool

It was announced last month that Shrewsbury Town Council was the sole bidder to run the pool, which has been at the heart of the Quarry park since the mid-1960s.

But despite polls and marches, many suspect Shropshire Council will announce later this year that the pool will be relocated to Sundorne Sports Village.

Simon Beedles, chairman of Shrewsbury Civic Society, said: "The history of the site is engrained in any true Shrewsbury resident.

"The Quarry is a part of Shrewsbury visited by residents throughout their lives.

"It is an integral part of the town. If the Quarry Pool closes, we think the site must remain in public ownership, in a use which can be enjoyed by the public.

"It must not be sold off to fund a budget deficit, as a short term fix. It's time to act, before it is too late. If we wait until a decision on the future on the pools is made, and the closure is the result, it will be too late to raise the issue.

"The society supports the campaign to keep the Quarry Pools where they are.

"But what happens if Shropshire Council wins and the pools move to Sundorne or anywhere else?

"What happens to a site in the centre of Shrewsbury which is part of the Quarry? A site enjoyed by the people of Shrewsbury as far back as memories extend."

He added that the council needs to know the strength of feeling over the matter.

"There might be calls for the site to be sold for a hotel, a car park, housing, a pub, a restaurant, a medical centre, the list goes on," said Mr Beedles.

"It could be suitable for any of these if the council want to raise quick cash.

"If you don't tell Shropshire Council what you think, the site may be lost."

Shrewsbury Town Council is the only organisation to submit an outline business case to keep the pool at the Quarry. The council now has until late October to submit a full business case to Shropshire Council.

Bernard Wills, chairman of the Quarry Swimming and Fitness Forum, said: "There has been a pool on this site since 1894. We support the SCS views that it would be a tragic loss to the town, its residents and those that do not have transport."

The group has launched a survey which will be forwarded to Shrewsbury Town Council and incorporated in to their business case. To access the survey, which is open until April 28, go to surveymonkey.co.uk/r/VQF7Y5R

Mr Wills added: "As the survey will reconfirm that the majority of people either walk or cycle to the Quarry centre.

"Why increase car use moving it to Sundorne? Why carry out a full consultation with the public and then ignore that over 68 per cent want the pool centre to stay in the town centre and only 16 per cent want it to move to Sundorne? It will be a significant loss to the town centre businesses if the Quarry centre closes. There is not even a short time gain – only a long term loss.