Camden New Journal - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Published: 6 September 2007
Risk of meltdown in our confidence
• AFTER a summer of discontent over the Kentish Town swimming baths’ proposals for their refurbishment, we finally hear from Liberal Democrat Councillor Flick Rea who, it is said, is masterminding this very important community project (No unisex, please, we’re changing August 30). Our local government is, she claims, listening to the public. We will apparently get a review of the showers and changing arrangements at the baths, if not a complete change of heart.
It would seem that the architects have been in charge and their great masterplan to impose the wretched mixed sex ‘Village’ showering and changing idea came close to being a fait accompli.
That is until New Journal readers took the matter in hand and started writing letters.
This nasty unisex ‘Village’ concept is not new and did not evolve after consultation, as it turns out.
On visiting the site earlier in the year, before the consultation had been completed, visitors were told about mixed sex changing and showering facilities to the shock and horror of those in attendance.
Once again, it would seem, our council and their architects decided what they wanted and then went through the process of consultation trying to fit the response to suit their purpose.
Camden needs a total change of approach or risk meltdown in public confidence.
Who would believe that anyone in their right mind would have replied that what their wish for the baths was a mixed sex ‘Village‘ where showering and changing would take place in the same area. I cannot think of anyone in my acquaintance who would agree with such a barmy concept.
Without the New Journal there would be no democracy locally. Thank you. G RYAN
Hollycroft Avenue, NW3
Send your letters to: The Letters Editor, Camden New Journal, 40 Camden Road, London, NW1 9DR or email to letters@camdennewjournal.co.uk. The deadline for letters is midday Tuesday. The editor regrets that anonymous letters cannot be published, although names and addresses can be withheld. Please include a full name, postal address and telephone number. Letters may be edited for reasons of space.
