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Baths were in a terrible state
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WHAT have Camden Council got to hide about the closure of Prince of Wales Baths?
At the public meeting on February 7 I asked the council representatives to release the report by Martin Associates which was, they said, the reason for closure. The reply was that they could see no objection and subject to Martins’ agreement the report would be released. But it has not been.
The council’s website on Prince of Wales Baths doesn’t even mention the report, much less publish it. Why the secrecy?
It was clear at the public meetings that most people wanted the baths kept open as long as possible. It might have been possible for the physical problems to be patched up quite cheaply.
For example, if the problem was things falling from the ceilings, strong canvas could be suspended underneath them to catch anything that fell. But as the council have failed to make the report available,we can’t tell whether the closure is justified or whether it is just because the council was always dead keen to rush into closure as quickly as possible, in defiance of ordinary people’s views.
The result is that local schools – and the public – have been deprived of their swimming facilities, months and months before work can start on renovation of the baths, and we don’t know whether this was done for good reason or not.
RODERICK ALLISON
Elaine Grove NW5
• THE recent emergency closure of Kentish Town Baths underlined the state of disrepair into which this jewel of municipal leisure has been allowed to sink.
A closure caused by parts of the roof falling into the pool – it’s a mercy that no one was swimming at the time.Yet, in her letter last week, Sarah Hayward expresses surprise at the closure concerns that just nine months after taking control of the council the Lib Dem-led administration has not yet published fully detailed and costed plans. I fear she misses the point.It’s been decades since the Baths were last refurbished.
Decades during which the building has been decaying.
In just nine months since the council changed hands we have committed nearly £23 million for the refurbishment and have set the ball rolling on a real and meaningful consultation. We want to know what people want in the new leisure centre before we lock down final plans for the Baths – not after. Once we know that we can publish those plans.
That date is not far away: in fact I’d invite Ms Hayward to come along to the meeting of the council’s executive on April 4 when she can see those costed proposals considered. In the meantime, if she or anyone else would like to get involved or stay updated then I’d invite them to drop me a line at ralph.scott@camden.gov.uk.
CLLR RALPH SCOTT
(Lib Dem) Town Hall, WC1
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