Taxpayers may face bill for bulldozing baths

Taxpayers may be asked to foot the six-figure bill for the demolition of Coseley baths, it emerged today. Bosses are yet to secure funding to knock down the building.

However, they want bulldozers to move in as soon as possible after the pool in Pear Tree Lane closes on August 31. Leisure chief Councillor David Stanley wants to avoid racking up huge security bills to keep the building standing.

A report published on Dudley Council's website says the council may have to take out a loan to bankroll the demolition. It states there is "no specific budget" for the demolition costs which will have to be found through Government grants, cash from sale of the land or borrowing.

Protesters fighting to save the baths said today it was "absolutely diabolical" taxpayers' money could be spent on demolishing the building. The council is refusing to pay £1 million for urgent repairs to make the roof safe and keep the pool open.

Save Coseley Baths campaign spokesman Brian Guest said: "This just proves how shameful this council is. Once again this is a total waste of taxpayers' money, it is absolutely diabolical.

"This money would obviously be better spent on putting the roof right."