Shrewsbury town council backs calls to keep Quarry pool

Councillor Alex Wagner put forward a motion in support of the Quarry pool

Town councillors in Shrewsbury have backed calls to keep a swimming pool amid fears it could go amid a revamp of leisure facilities in the town.

Shropshire Council revealed plans this month to build a new £28m pool on the outskirts of Shrewsbury.

While it said the future of the town centre Quarry site would be decided separately, a report said maintaining both pools was "unviable".

But town councillors said the Quarry centre was still needed.

They said it was especially important to those without a car.

Shropshire Council, which has previously warned of budget pressures, said plans to redevelop both sites would cost in excess of £68m.

'Real community facility'

In response, Shrewsbury Town Council agreed a motion on Monday which noted "the importance of keeping a swimming facility within Shrewsbury town centre that can be accessed by residents from all parts of town, especially those who do not have access to a car."

The motion was put forward by Lib Dem councillor Alex Wagner, who said the Quarry pool brings families into the town centre and was "a real community facility".

He added: "The town centre is the only accessible location for people in Shrewsbury and it's within walking distance of 1,000 car parking spaces."

But some town councillors also backed the plans to build a new pool at the Shrewsbury Sports Village, in the Sundorne area

Labour councillor Kevin Pardy said: "They've made a decision, which is more than they've done for the past 10 years.

"We need to concentrate on the Sundorne pool now. Let's get it done."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.