Campaigners protest against closure of Castleford Swimming Pool

Angry campaigners gathered at Castleford Swimming Pool to protest against plans for its closure.
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Around a dozen protestors gathered at the Aketon Road baths, joined by Pontefract, Castleford and Normanton MP Yvette Cooper, to make their feelings known about Wakefield Council’s controversial scheme. Swimmers could be forced to head to Pontefract’s existing pool until that is eventually replaced by a proposed £15m leisure complex at Pontefract Park. The proposals have angered many, particularly in the Castleford and Knottingley area, who say it would limit access for the young, old and disabled who may be unable to travel.

More than 2,700 signatures have even been collected on a petition to help persuade the council to save the pool. Chris Stebbings, spokeswoman for the campaigning group said: “We have all sorts of questions but we’ve not had any answers.

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“The council says this is a deprived area so why are they taking away our pool? They want people to be more active but how can they be if they do this?”

The consultation period over the closures has now passed, but Wakefield Council is yet to confirm when a decision will be made.

Coun Les Shaw, cabinet member for leisure and sport, said: “We are continuing to review the feedback.”