Baths will not be ready until 2012

1:43pm Tuesday 12th April 2005

CAMPAIGNERS against the planned closure of Ladywell Leisure Centre have been dealt a further blow.

The swimming baths, in Lewisham High Street, are due to be demolished in 2007 to make way for a new school.

Lewisham Council had originally said a new pool would be built on the Sundermead Estate by 2010.

But now, a council report has revealed the replacement facility will not be ready for a further two years.

Save Ladywell Pool campaign organiser Max Calo says he is not surprised by the delay.

He said: “The council tried to tell us it would be a three-year wait but we always said it would be more than that.

“Unfortunately it seems we have been proved right.

“It is the only community leisure facility we have in Lewisham.

“Take that off the map and there is nothing left.” Mr Calo and his fellow campaigners have fought hard to save the swimming baths since the closure was first announced last summer.

Protesters staged a march from the pool to the town hall, where they held a candlelit vigil.

A group also donned masks to protest outside Lewisham Library, disguised as Mayor Steve Bullock.

Mr Calo added: “We have proved we can carry a very effective campaign and we are not going anywhere.” Socialist Party member Councillor Chris Flood criticised the council for its “lack of transparency” in decision making.

He added: “This whole issue highlights the weaknesses of the cabinet system.

“We need to be able to discuss key issues like this, not just ratify them.” Lewisham Liberal Democrat leader Mark Morris said: “To talk about a gap of five years strikes me as a long time and makes losing the pool to gain a school a terrible trade-off.” A council spokesman said: “Saying completion might take place in 2012 was merely meant to cover any eventually.

“We will be making every effort to ensure the project is finished before that.”

Mayor under fire

LEWISHAM Mayor Steve Bullock admitted he is unpopular after coming under fire live on BBC London radio.

During a broadcast from Lewisham town centre DJ Jon Gaunt interrogated the mayor in front of town centre crowds about the closure of Ladywell Leisure Centre and plans for the new school.

Members of the public put questions to Mr Bullock and he was grilled by the host.

Following accusations from Save Ladywell Pool campaign’s Max Calo he had only given officers 10 days to consider alternative sites for the school, he denied there had been a “stitch up”.

He said: “People kept telling me there were easy solutions and I said ‘tell me what they are’ because I don’t like being unpopular, I’d rather be popular.” He added: “That’s the problem, there aren’t any easy solutions to these kind of problems.”