Ward Freman Swimming Pool in Buntingford faces closure

Louise Hampton says the loss of the pool would have a "massive impact" on Buntingford

A swimming pool faces closure because a council cannot afford the £543,550 needed to repair it, a meeting is due to hear.

The operators of Ward Freman Swimming Pool in Buntingford, Hertfordshire, believe it is not safe to run beyond the end of the current school term.

East Hertfordshire District Council (EHDC) officers are recommending the pool be closed temporarily.

Members are due to vote of the recommendation at a meeting on Tuesday.

The pool at Freman College, Bowling Green Lane, is owned by Hertfordshire County Council and managed by Everyone Active, on behalf of EHDC.

The pool will be closed from next month if councillors agree

A presentation on Thursday organised by Green councillors heard the pool's filter had not been changed for years.

A council report says the operators are "currently implementing a short-term solution to mitigate the known health and safety risks".

This includes regular microbiological testing due to the risk of cryptosporidium and covering raised tiles that could potentially injure swimmers.

Work to bring the pool up to a safe standard would take between 20 and 22 weeks to complete.

'Just vital'

Pool user Louise Hampton told the BBC five schools in the town were within walking distance of the pool, but that if it closed pupils would face a coach journey of about nine miles (14km) to the nearest alternative.

"I understand a pool is never going to make money but it's a public service, and Buntingford has grown; it's doubled in size over the last 10 years and yet our services seem to be disappearing," she said.

"This pool is just vital for the town."

Sarah Hopewell, Green Party councillor and executive member for wellbeing at EHDC, said she was "disappointed" the pool faced closure and had made "significant efforts" to find alternative options.

"However, neither Hertfordshire County Council nor East Herts Council currently have the funding available to invest in the repair works," she said.

Both councils are to examine other options on the future of the pool, before a final evaluation will be presented by the end of March.

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