Sink or swim dilemma over crumbling baths

SPIRALLING costs . . . Shaw Baths

Oldham and local parish councillors have reached an impasse over the future of Crompton Pool.

Liberal Democrat parish councillors are to ask the council for a “serious” proposal for a new health centre, swimming pool and gym in the town centre. The council had offered the parish council the chance to lease the existing building for 25 years.

The new move also called for enhancements to Shaw market on its present site.

Parliamentary candidate for Oldham East and Saddleworth, Richard Marbrow, said: “The entire Lib-Dem team is behind this ambitious plan for a new health and leisure facility for the centre of Shaw. Other parts of Oldham have seen investment and our area deserves a fair share.”

In 2012, a survey showed the pool needed up to £1.2 million of improvements..