Westminster Life: Why our Regional Pool needs reopening

Sadly, the pool and fitness centre has remained closed since last September.

Firstly this was due to asbestos – which was cleared. Then it was due to the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).

Since the closure, I have met with swimming groups and young swimmers from across the city to discuss how important this pool is to so many.

On day one my stance was clear: we should get the pool re-opened as soon as possible.

I have had correspondence with the council and have raised this with the leadership but sadly it seems this has fallen on deaf ears.

There is now a cabinet meeting on Monday 11 March where it is recommended that Cabinet members agree to fully decommission the Regional Fitness and Swimming Centre and authorise its demolition.

Well I am not giving up on our pool. On the day of writing this column I have again written to the council to implore it to make the pool safe and re-open it.

We should make do and mend with what we have so that people have access to a pool in the city centre now.

I fail to understand how these buildings can be safe to the public one day then not fit for purpose the next. This would mean we were risking the lives of everyone that used these facilities every single day.

It just sounds like nonsense to me.

I know that the council have plans to build a brand new pool and I fully support this. But this will take years to build and so many residents will miss out over this time on access to pool which would be devastating for them, as it has been already.

I am positive that a new round of levelling up funding will come to Peterborough, we have had well over £100 million since I became MP for our city.

So, my promise to this council is clear, if you work with me, and the administration councillors refrain from infantile stunts like the embarrassing photo in the cathedral grounds, I will help deliver this pool.

I have a strong track record of delivering funding for Peterborough and I always want to work together to get the best possible outcome for my constituents.

Furthermore, if costs are high, why can’t we ask the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough for the money? He gets millions (often left unspent) from Government for sport and youth activities.

He could step up and find the cash to re-open the pool.

A new pool and fitness or leisure centre would be fantastic for Peterborough we should definitely be striving and working together for this in the long run.

In the short term however, we should be doing all we can to get the Regional Pool re-opened for the people of Peterborough as quickly as possible.