SWIMMERS from Biggin Hill have been left high and dry by Bromley Council which has withdrawn £1.25m of funding for a pool.

The Swimmers' Action Group (SWAG), which raised £25,000 for the project from the local community, branded last Thursday's decision "disgusting and pathetic" and vowed to fight on.

Despite a demonstration by protesters shouting "Keep Your Promise, Save Our Pool," Bromley Council's leisure and community services committee passed the motion to shelve the funding by nine votes to eight.

The pool, first planned almost 30 years ago, would have been used by seven schools, which currently have to send pupils by bus to The Walnuts in Orpington as the national curriculum demands they have swimming lessons.

Families, elderly and disabled people would also have benefited as public transport access to nearby pools is difficult.

Biggin Hill Councillor Geoff Gostt appealed to the committee before the vote to "maintain the honour and integrity of this council."

He said: "We made a promise to the people of Biggin Hill and nothing has changed. We should not break that promise."

After the vote, he said: "This is a disgrace and a cruel blow to the people of Biggin Hill."

SWAG co-chairman Carol Collier stormed: "It's absolutely disgusting."

Other members branded the decision "pathetic."

Tory Council Leader Michael Tickner said people in the borough were more worried about Council Tax increases and school places than swimming pools.

"We will look at the plans again once the finances are under control," he said.

"It will take at least three years to sort out the Council Tax problem and unless funding is found elsewhere, it will be at least that long before we can consider this."

Charles Darwin School headteacher and SWAG member Rob Higgins said: "The community needs this pool.

"No-one believes the council will consider this again. Biggin Hill deserves better."

Cllr Bob Shekyls said he felt the meeting had been "the last chance" for a swimming pool, as costs would spiral.

A final decision has yet to be made on what to do with the £25,000 raised by the local community But it may have to be returned to the residents and businesses concerned.

The council itself has spent £35,000 in preliminary investigations for the pool.

September 27, 2001 15:51

Sarah Warden