AS councillors prepare to splash out on costly repairs to Crewe swimming pool critics warn they are not diving deep enough into its problems.

Members of a special panel set up to monitor the survey and any safety measures that follow took a close look at the baths on Monday.

Chairman Cllr Dawn Threadgold said after their tour that she felt the picture was not as black as it had been painted by 'mischief makers' out to score political points.

"Considerable work needs doing mainly because of the damage caused by chemicals and humidity. We were told it could cost at least £50,000 for roof work. But on the whole I was pleased with the overall condition of the building, considering it is more than 60 years old," she added.

"Safety is the most important issue here and I can assure the public that the pool will not be open again until the committee is satisfied that everything possible has been done."

But council critics, including Conservative spokesman Brian Silvester, claim that the 'full structural survey' ordered by all-party members has not been carried out.

Instead officers had overruled their orders and commissioned a 'visual conditon survey' from consulting engineers.

"It is outrageous. Labour members should stop condoning their behaviour and make it clear who runs the council," said Cllr Silvester.

"The pool has had to be closed four times in nine months and earlier reports have highlighted cracks in concrete structures. Nothing short of a full structural survey will convince residents that the baths are safe to use again." he added.

The leisure service's fiercest critic, pool user Barrie Durkin, is also "appalled" that a more in depth investigation is not being carried out.

"The baths have been deteriorating at an "alarming rate" since the early 1980s. Successive consultants have reported their concerns, but the council has failed to instigate and implement a comprehensive and meticulous programme of repair," he said.

He has sent an official complaint about the maintenance of the baths to the District Auditor.

Members of the special pool panel will meet this Friday to consider the consultants' report.

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