Whitchurch residents left 'high and dry' after council confirms permanent closure of swimming pool
Residents in a North Shropshire town have been left “high and dry” by the permanent closure of their swimming pool.
That's the claim made by MP Helen Morgan, who is calling for free transport from Whitchurch to an alternative facility to be made available.
Her comments follow on from the launch of a feasibility study for a replacement leisure centre on the site.
The old centre, off Bridgewater Street, has been closed for two years and Shropshire Council said last week that it will not reopen.
Defects in the pool include a major leak, and the authority says it will not reopen in its present guise.
Mrs Morgan said that Whitchurch residents had been urged to use a swimming pool 14 miles away in Market Drayton and there was no direct transport between the two towns.
The Liberal Democrat MP said that the decision to close the pool was yet another in a long line of vital facilities, such as the driving test centre, being closed.
“My inbox is full of emails from families who can’t easily get to Market Drayton, or can’t get a space in swimming schools there," she said.
"That’s why I’ve written to the leader of Shropshire Council to ask for additional lesson spaces at alternative pools and a free shuttle bus to them. I’d like to see the operational savings from the pool closure spent directly on providing an alternative for Whitchurch.
"Whitchurch residents are tired of seeing their precious facilities close one-by-one. A new leisure centre is extremely welcome, but the people here can’t wait for years with no access to a realistic alternative.
"We cannot let Whitchurch residents be left high and dry by these sorts of closures.”
When news of the survey into a new leisure centre was released last week, Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for communities, place, tourism and transport, said: “Everyone has been very disappointed that the current centre has been unable to reopen, but this is a situation that is not going to change.
"The building is not structurally sound, but a new facility could be a massive benefit to all.”
In June 2021 Shropshire councillors backed an option to build a new swimming centre, which will feature a six-lane 25m pool with a movable floor, a 35-station fitness suite, multi-function rooms and a café with 20 covers.
