Anna Dixon MP urges Bradford Council to spend £14.6m freed up by Squire Lane cancellation on Bingley Pool
- Aug 28
- 2 min read
Anna Dixon, MP for Shipley, has written to Bradford Council calling on the authority to commit £14.6 million in freed-up capital funding to the long-awaited redevelopment of Bingley Pool.
The funding became available after the Council's Reform-led Executive voted to scrap plans for a new leisure centre at Squire Lane, a decision which put a £20 million Government grant at risk.
In a letter to Cllr Andrew Judson, Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration and Planning, Ms Dixon said the Squire Lane decision would have "a detrimental impact on residents in one of the district's most deprived wards," but argued that with £14.6 million now available for other eligible projects, the Council faces a straightforward choice about its priorities.
Ms Dixon pointed out that Bingley Pool already has a successful Levelling Up bid in place and has completed scoping work, meaning the scheme could move forward quickly if the Council chooses to back it.
She has called on the Council to work closely with the Friends of Bingley Pool campaign group and local councillors, including Cllr Susan Fricker, as it considers how to allocate the funding, and has asked for a clear public statement on the Council's intentions - including an explanation if none of the money is directed towards Bingley.
Commenting, Anna Dixon MP said: “Bradford Council can no longer say this is about what it can afford - it's about what it chooses to do with money it already has.
“Bingley Pool has local support, a strong public health case, and all the groundwork already in place.
“I've made clear to the Council Leader that this is now a political choice, and residents deserve a straight answer about where this funding is going."
Ms Dixon has asked for a response from the Council ahead of its next Executive meeting.
