Mike German and BLAST to meet Minister

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 10th Oct 2007

Chilren of Blaenafon being deprived of their local swimming pool

Local AM Mike German today tackled the Heritage Minister on how Welsh Assembly Government money may be used to take away a valuable local resource in Blaenavon.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Leader Mike said: "Torfaen Council claim there is Ministerial support for Heads of the Valleys regeneration funding to redevelop the Blaenavon swimming pool site.

"However, the Council are not prepared to fix and re-open the swimming pool, so Government money could be used to deprive local people of their pool.

"When I put this to the Minister, he agreed to meet me to discuss this. I hope to bring campaigners from the BLAST campaign with me, so they can explain to the Minister just how important the pool is to the community. I will be writing to the Minister to request this.

"Shutting a swimming pool in a Communities First area goes against Government policy on encouraging exercise and healthy living, and shows a Labour Council and Labour-Plaid Government working completely against each other.

"I hope the Minister and the Council can be persuaded to respect the views of the many people in Blaenavon who want to keep their pool open."

Notes/Nodiadau:

BLAST is the Blaenavon Leisure and Swimming Troubleshooters, who are campaigning to keep the Blaenavon Swimming Pool open.