Meeting halted after baths protest chaos

A public meeting in the Black Country descended into chaos as more than 50 campaigners and councillors fighting to save Coseley baths walked out in protest after heckling and booing councillors.

Dudley North Area Committee's meeting was temporarily adjourned to restore order after a crowd jeered, stamped feet and hurled insults at councillors. Coseley ward councillors Susan Ridney, Melvyn Mottram and George Davies also walked out in solidarity with campaigners.

Committee chairman Tim Wright had refused to take any more questions on the baths last night.

He called to an end of baths-related questions – raised during the public forum of the meeting – after more than 25 minutes on the topic, telling protesters the meeting was "not all about Coseley baths".

But the campaigners, who are angry at Dudley Council's decision to close the baths in Pear Tree Lane by the end of August, following the revelation that it is danger of collapse, became increasingly annoyed and began jeering councillors and booing Mr Wright.

Insults were even thrown at council leader Ann Millward who stepped outside during the adjournment to escape the baying crowd who began clapping their hands and shouting "off, off, off" at committee members.

Campaigner Brian Guest spoke at the meeting on behalf of the group – accusing councillors of refusing to hand over a breakdown of their projected £2 million cost of vital pool repairs.

The group organised and paid for their own survey of the pool which showed the work could be carried out for less money and did not all need doing immediately.

Mr Guest added: "If you think you are going to shut those baths on August 31 and bring the bulldozers in, you have another thing coming."

Dimmocks Avenue resident Clement Baugh, said after the meeting: "Democracy is clearly dead in Dudley – why can't they listen to what we have to say?"

Councillor Wright said he was "not prepared to go over old ground" and said that there were other issues which had to be addressed.