Outcry over pool plans

More than 1,000 people are backing a "save our swimming pool" petition against controversial plans for a swimming centre in Telford.

Consultation has now closed on Telford & Wrekin Council's blueprint for the future of sport and leisure facilities.

It includes a proposal to focus the site on outdoor sports - with the possible loss of the pool at Madeley Sports Centre.

But campaigners today said the battle would go on. Councillor Dave Davies, chairman of Madeley Parish Council, said more than 1,000 names had been collected and the lists were still growing fast.

He said: "We have over 1,000 and I think it's getting towards 2,000. Some people still haven't heard about it. A lot of people are angry about it, it has got a lot of support."

David Wright, Telford MP, has also said the pool should be kept and the parish council itself has officially objected.

The authority's sport and leisure draft framework suggests phasing out indoor facilities at Madeley and making it a centre for outdoor facilities with the dry ski slope and an orienteering course.

It outlines ideas for the provision of sports and leisure facilities over the next 20 years.

Other plans include a new pool at Newport and possibly near the town centre. The consultation on the framework closed last week.

People were invited to comment on proposals for new and improved sports facilities, many of which could be developed as part of the council's programme for developing schools over the next five years.

Officers will now look at the responses and work out a formal response to the results which is expected towards the end of the year.

Councillor Andrew Eade, council leader, said: "This framework was drawn up by the council's previous ad-ministration and, regardless of the new council's views on this, it has proposed some possible solutions to some of the challenges we face and the council's role in helping to make this a healthier borough.

"Raising these issues has informed the debate about possible ways forward and we will now carefully analyse and evaluate what people have told us and this will contribute to our decision making process. It is important that we reflect the needs of the community."

By Dave West