Anger as work starts at baths

Residents in Coseley have accused Dudley Council of treating them with "utter contempt", alleging the demolition of their local baths started under a veil of secrecy.

Ward councillors and campaigners say they were kept "totally in the dark" by bosses who signed a contract with Coleman & Company to start this week.

The sight of workers clad in high visibility vests and hard hats erecting fencing around the building in Pear Tree Lane was greeted with horror by residents still hoping for a reprieve.

Dudley Council confirmed their fears, saying the Birmingham-based demolition specialists had been placed in charge of the pool in Pear Tree Lane. The baths will be reduced to rubble in three months.

Bulldozers are expected to move in at the end of the month.

Ward member Councillor Susan Ridney only found out demolition work had started when she was contacted by the Express & Star.

She said: "The council did not even have the courtesy to let the ward councillors know this was going to happen. It is a sad day."

John Wilkes, chairman of Coseley Civic Trust, critisised the lack of warning about the works. He has applied for the building to be granted listed status, a move which would block demolition, while campaigners have been raising funds to fight the council.

Mr Wilkes said: "This shows the utter contempt the council has for the people of Coseley."

Deputy council leader Councillor Les Jones said the council received clearance to start late on Monday evening and emails were sent the next morning before workmen arrived.

He said releasing information about work starting could have led to ugly scenes at the baths.

"It is a very fine balance between keeping people up to speed and risking all sorts of other problems because people are organised against this," he said.