Blaenavon Pool | Plaid-Labour Government Won't Save Town's Amenity

12.00.00am GMT Thu 15th Nov 2007

Plaid and Labour won't save Blaenavon swimming pool, local AM Mike German warned today. Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Mr German questioned the Heritage Minister on the future of the pool in the Assembly today.

Mike said: "The Minister was unable to give unequivocal support for the future of the pool. He said he was concerned that people in Blaenavon shouldn't lose out on local facilities, but won't rule it out.

"If the Government funds Torfaen Council's redevelopment plans for the area, the swimming pool will be lost. The Minister wouldn't tell me that this won't happen.

"If the Government funds the council redevelopment, the people of Blaenavon will lose their swimming pool. There is a strong campaign to save the swimming pool which has received a lot of local support. I'm disappointed that the Labour-Plaid Government is prepared to ignore this.

"The Government's coalition agreement promises to encourage sporting participation by people of all ages and backgrounds across Wales because of the health benefits. They will expand the free swimming scheme so that all Welsh children can benefit from free swimming at weekends. Yet this same government is considering supporting a proposal which will result in the people of Blaenavon having to travel to Pontypool before they can even get their feet wet."

Notes/Nodiadau:

Mike German AM today asked the Minister for Heritage if the Government would be helping to fund Torfaen Council's redevelopment plans for the Blaenavon Swimming pool site and thus depriving local people of the pool.