Friends of St Georges Hydrotherapy pool upset by lack of action to find long-term alternative in Peterborough

A long-time campaigner for the group, Friends of St Georges Hydrotherapy pool, has shared her frustration at the lack of action to find an alternative facility.

Karen Oldale has challenged Peterborough City Council’s decision to permanently close the facility - and subsequently requested a petition to be debated at a Full Council meeting.

However, Peterborough City Council has told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that officers are "working to finalise a booking system, opening dates and times that are suitable for users" while talks are ongoing with Lime Trust Academy.

Ms Oldale said: “Even though the council have promised us they will do all they can to help find an alternative pool, nothing constructive has been done yet.”

Peterborough City Council closed St Georges Hydrotherapy pool permanently in July as part of their cost-cutting programme.

This is despite receiving an impassioned petition, which included 769 signatures pleading the case for 4,500 users in Peterborough.

At the time the permanent closure announcement was made, councillor Steve Allen, cabinet member for communication, culture and communities, was looking at alternative locations, including the Lime Trust Academy at Orton.

Council officers were sent to inspect the location with the St George’s user group needed to confirm its suitability.

But Ms Oldale said since the announcement at Full Council on 27 July, nothing more has been done.

She said: "From my side, I know someone from the council is supposed to be trying to work something out on this but nothing has been confirmed and I have no details yet.

“That said, Lime Trust Academy would only be an interim solution, and realistically the search by Peterborough City Council for a suitable piece of land for a new pool to be built is imperative.

“There has been no updates on this that I know of other than such a search by the council’s property services has been requested.

“I know all St George’s hydro-users and their loved ones will greatly appreciate everyone’s continued interest in this facility as it is much needed."

Councillor John Fox, who like Ms Oldale campaigned for months to have St George’s Hydrotherapy pool reopened, said: “Sadly, like Karen I know of nothing new and there has been no consultation or update given to me from inside the council.

“I seem to remember councillor Fitzgerald going on and on about 'my door is always open’ - well, he seems to have a ‘closed door’ policy where these 4,500 Peterborian’s are concerned.”

A spokesperson for Peterborough City Council said: “We are continuing to work with Lime Trust Academy with a view to providing a pool facility which can meet the needs of people who have previously used St George’s Hydrotherapy Pool.

“Officers are currently working to finalise a booking system, opening dates and times that are suitable for users, along with staffing and other logistics.

“We hope to make to make an announcement in the next few days.

“In the meantime, we continue to look at options for a long term hydrotherapy facility, including supporting discussions with Dr Neil Modha from Thistlemoor Medical Practice, who is developing plans for a new hydrotherapy pool.”