Protesters threaten sit-in to save baths

Campaigners have threatened to pick up their sleeping bags and move into a condemned Black Country swimming baths in a bid to stop the building being demolished.

More than 200 protesters descended on the centre for a meeting to save the building in Pear Tree Lane, Coseley. Residents demanded the resignation of every councillor who played a part in the closure of the baths, and said they were considering a sit-in. Last night's meeting was chaired by councillors Melvyn Mottram and Susan Ridney and MP Pat McFadden.

The outcome was the creation of a petition, a collection and the launch of a Save Our Baths action group.

Among the crowd was former mayor Jack Wilson, who spearheaded the original campaign for a baths in the 1950s and laid the building's foundation stone.

The 90-year-old said he had been losing sleep since he heard of the decision to close it by August.

"When I said I wanted every child in Coseley to be able to swim, I meant it," he said. "But if this facility goes, that will no longer be the case."

Conservative-controlled Dudley Council chose to close the site, which needs £2 million of improvements, on Wednesday. It said it made the decision on health and safety grounds after a report said the roof would have to be replaced.

Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden, who could soon be representing Coseley due to boundary changes at the next election, said the swimming baths "instilled values" in the community.

"This is a story of long-term neglect - neglect on this building and neglect on this area by Dudley Council," he said. "The neglect has stitched up this building by creating a backlog of repairs."

Brian Guest, 65, of Northway, Sedgley, said he was born and bred in Coseley and the swimming pool was the heartbeat of the community.

The semi-retired consultant said: "This is degeneration on the highest scale."

Councillor Mottram urged people to attend the next North Dudley Area Committee meeting on April 8 at High Arcal School to voice their concerns.