Petition launched in Shifnal swimming pool fight

A petition has been launched in Shifnal to push for a swimming pool in the town.

Residents believe Shropshire Council is not taking their demands seriously and the petition has been launched to show the strength of feeling in the town.

Kevin Turley, spokesman for the swimming pool committee, said the petition was not making demands but that they wanted a pool to be made a priority.

Mr Turley said he had already collected signatures from parents in the town where the reaction had been 100 per cent support.

The petition is also available to sign at both of the town's Co-operative stores, the Spar and at Cottam's Fish and Chip Shop.

Members of the swimming pool committee are also going door to door collecting signatures. Mr Turley said: "In 10 minutes I collected 46 signatures at my son's school. Mums, dads and pupils were signing it.

"Parents have to take their children to Wellington, Madeley and Newport for swimming lessons. However we pay our council tax to Shropshire Council but we get most of our services through Telford & Wrekin.

"I find it incredible that Shropshire Council hold meetings and have consultations with the town's people where the feedback is that they want a swimming pool but the council does not look at driving it forward and no money comes in our direction.

"The petition is to show the strength of feeling around here and is not a demand."

Mr Turley said the petition would be handed in to Shropshire Council in early July before the SAMdev consultation ends on July 20 on future development.

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council's Cabinet member for leisure, said: "We will of course accept a petition if one is handed in to the council, and we do appreciate that many people in Shifnal would like to see a new pool in the town.

"However, there are already a number of pools in the surrounding area and an independent report by experts has recommended that there is sufficient existing provision for swimming in Shropshire."

A new swimming pool could be included in proposals for homes in the town. Lioncourt Homes wants to build 400 homes off Haughton Road.