Tettenhall Pool reopening marred as litterbugs spark anger
It’s barely been open a month – yet there are already a string of complaints surrounding the return of a popular pool.
Families have been waiting eagerly all summer for the reopening of Tettenhall Pool in Wolverhampton.
The sunny bank holiday saw the pool packed out with excited adults and children, but neighbours have said that for them, it was “hell”.
The problem lies with the minority who spoil it for the rest, with litter strewn over a wide area and some people parking “disrespectfully”.
Tettenhall resident Fat Ahmad said: “I went for a walk by the pool and saw upset residents because of this parking and so much litter, plastic bottles, nappies, food waste, crisp wrappers. So much disrespect for our beautiful village. Some poor workers will have their work cut out.”
Locals said that visitors to the pool were parking on nearby streets but were not leaving enough room for pushchairs or wheelchairs to get past on the pavement – while others were not leaving any room for other vehicles, especially emergency services, to drive down he street.
Estelle Hawkins added: “A poor man was being pushed by his daughters in a wheelchair, they had to come off the pavement because several selfish people blocked access and he almost fell out of the wheelchair.”
There were concerns earlier this year that the pool might not re-open for the summer, as Wolverhampton Council underwent major refurbishment work.
But it officially opened on August 1 in time for the remainder of the school summer holidays.
Michelle Smith said: “I completely agree that people should not disrespect the area and its residents but I’ll throw this ball in the court that some people were complaining about the pool being closed due to loss of business within the area.
“Now that it’s open, there are still complaints, but as I said no one should disrespect any public facilities – but maybe you kind of have to expect it.”
A spokesperson for Wolverhampton Council said: “The litter at Tettenhall Pool has been cleared following the flood of visitors over an exceptionally busy bank holiday weekend.
“In preparation for the bank holiday, five extra bins,were delivered on site to reduce littering over the weekend. Although some visitors could have been more considerate and taken litter home, it’s clear many people were disposing their waste correctly, as all bins were full.”
