Shipley MP urges minister to honour Bingley Pool funding in open letter

Anna Dixon MP has today written to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Democracy and Local Growth, and urged him to honour funding for the Bingley Swimming Pool redevelopment.

In her letter to Alex Norris MP, Ms Dixon stated that while she understands the dire financial situation the government has inherited, the community and economic benefits the Bingley project would bring mean it should go ahead.

Last March, Levelling Up funding was awarded for the redevelopment of the swimming pool, which closed in 2020. However, upon discovering the £22billion budget black hole left by the Conservatives, the new government has frozen funding for all levelling-up bids that have not yet progressed beyond stage two.

In the letter, the Shipley MP said: “I urge you to honour the funding awarded to Bingley, a town within my constituency.

“The grant awarded to Bingley last March, particularly the plans to redevelop and reopen the historic Bingley Swimming Pool, would be significant for the area. This is reflected by the strength of local opinion I have received in recent days.

“The pool has been closed since 2020. As the only public swimming facility in the area, its continued closure has undoubtedly affected the health and well-being of the local community.

“Just this year, Bradford Council’s Sports and Leisure Review emphasised the need for increased swimming provision across the district, with Bradford having a deficient water provision level compared to nearby authorities.

“Redeveloping the Bingley Swimming Pool would restore a vital community resource, and given its town centre location, it would also help rejuvenate Bingley’s high street and boost the local economy.”

She also invited the government minister to visit the Bingley Swimming Pool site in person.

No update on the pool project's future is expected until the Autumn budget is delivered on October 30th.