Reform urged to use £15m in cancelled funding on reopening Bingley Pool
An MP has written to the Reform-run Bradford Council urging it to use around £15m of Government funding on reopening Bingley Pool or risk losing the money.
The council was granted £20m in Levelling Up funding to build a new swimming pool in the Squire Lane Leisure Centre development near Bradford Royal Infirmary.
One of Reform’s first major acts since coming into power in May was to scrap this project, going against the advice of its own officers.
Reform said that the additional money that would have had to have been provided by the council was unaffordable.
Some £5.4m had been spent on the plans already, leaving £14.6m of government funding which may need to be paid back unless it is spent on a similar project.
Shipley’s Labour MP Anna Dixon has now written to the Reform administration, saying she has had assurances from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government that the funds can be spent on other eligible projects by Bradford Council.
“It is clear that this is no longer a question of what the council can afford; it is a question of what the council chooses to do with money it already has,” she said.
“I urge you, in the strongest possible terms, to commit that £14.6m to the long-overdue redevelopment of Bingley Pool.
“This is a project that has already had a successful Levelling Up bid and is not only eligible but has existing completed scoping works.
“The redevelopment of Bingley Pool has overwhelming local support, would bring clear public health benefits and help to fill the well-documented shortfall in swimming provision in our area.”
Bingley Pool shut during the Covid lockdown in 2020 and has remained closed. Earlier this summer, Bradford Council said it would hold off on selling the pool for six months after it was previously listed as a disposable asset.
Ms Dixon’s proposal has cross-party support with Conservative Coun Geoff Winnard, who represents Bingley West, backing the move.
He added: “A restored Bingley Pool, with a viable and sustainable business model for the future, could make an important contribution to both the regeneration of Bingley town centre and also provide much needed water space in the district.”
Bradford Council has been contacted for comment.