Pool work nearly done (From Warrington Guardian)

Pool work nearly done

WORK to remove asbestos from Winsford's swimming pool is almost complete and council bosses have assured customers that services will not suffer.

Vale Royal Borough Council has no existing plan to make up the £36,000 in lost income due to the closure, but it is hoped the cost of using the facility will not need to be increased.

Ellie McFahn, leisure operations manager at Vale Royal Borough Council, said: "The prices will remain the same when it reopens.

"We are hoping the pool will be open to the public again before the end of February. The council will review fees and charges as usual at the end of the financial year."

There is the possibility the council will be able to recoup some of the lost income through legal action against the company originally contracted to remove asbestos from the pool area.

It was thought the pool area was free of asbestos but an inspection in December last year revealed more of the dangerous substance.

Mrs McFahn said: "Our solicitors have notified the asbestos firm's insurance company and hopefully we can recoup some of the lost income in that way. I can assure people that the problems will not affect the services we are offering in any way."

The pool has now been closed since October 26 but the borough council is confident all the asbestos will have been removed when the pool reopens later this month.