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Published:
December 15, 2007
Burnham-On-Sea
MP discusses pool closure proposals with campaigners
Burnham-On-Sea's
MP, David Heathcoat-Amory, held talks with the campaign group
battling to save the town's swimming pool from closure on Friday
evening (December 14th).
Tom
Ashton, Chairman of campaign group SOS - Save Our Swimming pool
- met Mr Heathcoat-Amory in the Princess Hall to discuss the controversial
plans by Sedgemoor District Council to close the Berrow Road facility.
 It
comes after Burnham-On-Sea.com reported
earlier this month how the cash-strapped council had announced
plans to shut the pool by April 2008 because it is losing up to
£250,000 a year. The proposals have been met with shock
and dismay by local residents and the swimming groups who use
it.
At
Friday's meeting, various options for keeping swimming facilities
in Burnham were discussed and Mr Ashton said he had been "pleased"
with the talks: "It was a very positive meeting. David definitely
understands the problems here."
Mr
Heathcoat-Amory said in a statement after the meeting: "Burnham-On-Sea
is a seaside resort and it is particularly important that there
is provision for the public to learn to swim. It is therefore
essential that the town retains a swimming pool. It is also a
great asset for promising young swimmers who need such facilities
for training purposes."
"I
am working with councillors and others to try to find a way forward
to cut costs to
the council for refurbishment and also retain a facility for the
residents of Burnham."
RELATED
LINKS:
Public
meeting set to be held on future of pool
700
sign petition to save Burnham swimming pool
'We'll
fight closure of Burnham swimming pool' vow campaigners
Burnham
swimming pool 'may permanently close by April 2008'
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