9 out 10 say: "Keep Pools in Forest Hill"

12.43.04pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 26th May 2009

Phil Peake and Alex Feakes at the existing site, where 90% of people surveyed want the pools to stay

Over 90% of people surveyed by Liberal Democrats in Forest Hill want to keep swimming in a new pool on the current Dartmouth Road site. The survey was carried out throughout April and May as Lewisham Council began a public consultation about the future of the leisure facility, which has been closed since the beginning of 2006.

Lib Dem Forest Hill ward councillor Alex Feakes said, "The residents we surveyed are pretty clear: they want their pool to be rebuilt where it is, and not down a side street in Sydenham, so that it remains the lynch-pin of Forest Hill town centre."

"It's a shame that the Council's consultation is so unbalanced and that residents are being pushed toward the Willow Way option," said Lib Dem councillor Philip Peake.

"Although everyone wants a new swimming pool to open as soon as possible, without giving residents a fair appreciation of the difficulties of delivering the Willow Way option, or the potential for having the Pools rebuilt on Dartmouth Road, the Mayor has made choosing between the consultation options very difficult," said Lib Dem Forest Hill councillor John Russell. "We would encourage everyone to respond to the consultation and give their views: ultimately, the people must decide and the Mayor must listen."