A POLITICAL row has erupted over the future of swimming facilities in Crewe.

Labour councillors have slammed Tory proposals to replace the ageing Crewe pool with a new facility, in a partnership between the local authority and Manchester Metropolitan University.

They insist the plans could slash by half the public's access to swimming facilities in the town.

Labour's leisure spokesman Steven Roberts said: "I am extremely concerned that this proposal, which has not yet been put to either the board or the borough council, will result in there being even less opportunities for the public.

"The Crewe pool in Flag Lane currently serves the needs of swimmers from early in the morning until late at night every weekday and at the weekend.

"It is reported that the new proposal will only be available to the general public in the evenings and at weekends.

"I will be pressing council leaders to consult with the local swimming community and indeed the general public before any decision is taken to close the swimming pool."

He said that in a joint venture around 50% of the swimming time would be lost to undergraduates and university staff.

He added: "I assume however that local Council Tax payers will be asked to share the cost of building and running the new facility at the university.

"This joint use proposal was considered by the previous Labour-led board and was rejected, as there was an unacceptable loss of water time for the general public.

"There is already a heavy demand on water space and the attendances at both the Crewe and Nantwich pools have hit a record high - the fifth consecutive year of growth.

"Indeed the proposal to build a new facility at the Cumberland Arena was a response to the unmet demands on water space.

"At the end of the day, if we share a facility, it will probably lead to a 50% reduction in public opening times and limited control over the day-to-day swimming timetable.

"In practice, this will mean less pool time for popular activities such as swimming lessons, club-swimming and family sessions and, in some circumstances, it might mean moving casual swimming to an off-peak space in the timetable or purely at weekends."

"That is the harsh working reality of sharing a swimming pool with the university, or anyone else and people should think carefully about whether it will actually provide them with adequate and affordable swimming facilities in future."