SHROPSHIRE Councillors have reassured Whitchurch residents over concerns that the town's swimming pool might not reopen.

It was recently announced that Shropshire Council would not reopen Whitchurch Swimming Pool because the building could not be adapted to Covid-19 restrictions, but this announcement led to many believing that that council had plans to permanently close the pool.

In light of these concerns, Shropshire councillors for Whitchurch – Tom Biggins, Gerald Dakin and Peggy Mullock – organised a meeting with Cllr Lezley Picton, Cabinet member for Leisure at Shropshire Council.

Cllr Picton, and the officers who are working on problems with the pool, assured everyone that there is no intention to close it.

"The health and safety of residents, facility users and our staff is our top priority," said Cllr Picton.

"We understand and share the frustration people are feeling during the temporary closure currently required, and regret that the closure is being perceived as permanent.

"Were ventilation the only factor preventing the facility from reopening, then the pool would have been opened earlier in the year, at the same time as others in Shropshire.

"However, the design of the Whitchurch Swimming Centre does not allow for the government's required social distancing measures to be put in place, meaning we cannot offer a Covid-19 secure environment to allow safe access.

"The reopening plans for this facility will however be further complicated by a water leak from the pool which must be addressed.

"During the closure, we have been working with Shropshire Community Leisure Trust and the council's property services team to investigate the cause of the leak with a view to reopening the centre when social distancing regulations are relaxed by the Government."

Meanwhile Cllr Mullock added that work continued on getting the pool open as soon as possible.

"Work is continuing to find a solution to the leak and other maintenance issues while the pool is closed," said Cllr Mullock.

"During the pandemic with the requirement of two metre social distancing, our pool unfortunately is just too small to accommodate people from moving safely around inside.

"While we would want to get all our swimmers back as soon as possible we just cannot take the risk to anyone's health at this time.