Pool protestors campaign ahead of crucial meeting

8:00am Saturday 6th September 2008

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PARENTS and children have thrown their weight behind a campaign to re-open a city swimming pool ahead of a crucial meeting expected later this month.

The LEA pool in Hollybush Walk, Hinton, was a popular venue for schools but has been closed since last year because of a broken boiler and structural faults.

Schools have since had to use Hereford Leisure Pool, a move unpopular with many because female teachers are not able to supervise male pupils (and vice-versa) in the public changing rooms.

Members of Herefordshire Council’s children’s services scrutiny committee will this month debate a recent cabinet vote not to re-open the pool.

Ahead of that meeting, a group opposed to the closure has demonstrated outside the Hinton pool, calling for its reopening.

“The parents, teachers and instructors I am working with are unanimous – we need the LEA Pool to be re-opened,” said the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Sarah Carr.

“At a time when Team GB swimming athletes have done so well at the Beijing Olympics, it is unbelievable that Herefordshire Council is closing swimming facilities used by young people in Herefordshire. The health and safety of our children must be put first.

“I will be contacting national swimming organisations to gain support for our campaign to persuade the council to give our children every opportunity to learn potentially life-saving skills.”

Mrs Carr is urging schools and parents to register their concerns with Herefordshire Council.