Star comment: Touch of realism is called for

And while all bets are presently off as the authority weighs up the pros, cons and costs of swimming facilities in our market town, one thing is certain: the local authority is listening to the public.

A scheme to close Shrewsbury’s Quarry Pool and create a different facility at Sundorne has been widely criticised by residents. They have grown up with a pool in the town centre and wish to see that retained.

In listening to the views of residents and pool users, politicians have shown that they are in touch with public opinion.

However, while it is admirable to have the best of intentions, it remains to be seen whether the council will be able to deliver. The costs of keeping a swimming and fitness centre in the heart of Shrewsbury is enormously expensive and there appears to be no easy solution.

So while the council has agreed to go back to the drawing board, it will have to find resources that have previously been absent. We know that in this age of austerity there is no magic money tree. And we know that councils must balance their books because they cannot rely on central Government to make funds available.

And so, in many respects, we find ourselves back at square one. All options are back on the table and Shropshire Council will look at a range of alternative town centre sites as it bids to satisfy public opinion.

The council is willing to provide favourable conditions for those who want to progress a town centre site. And it is clearly doing all that it can to make a go of things.

However, while its goodwill is clear and evident to all, it remains difficult to see how it will achieve its goal. The authority is in no better financial position than it was when it began the process of providing long-term swimming facilities. And how it will identify and procure land, generate capital to pay for a new building, manage the process of a move from The Quarry to a different address and oversee other issues remains to be seen.

Shropshire Council has done the right thing by listening to the will of the people. Now it must manage expectations so people are realistic about the next stage.