A PETITION has been launched to save the ageing Temple Cowley swimming pool — three years before it is due to close.

Oxford City Council wants to shut the facility and replace it with a multi-million pound competition-style swimming pool in Blackbird Leys – to open in time for the 2012 London Olympics.

But the plans have angered some Temple Cowley Pool users who said they do not want to travel to the estate to swim.

They have now started a petition to try to force the Town Hall into a rethink.

Zoe Broughton, 39, of Florence Park, said: “This is the only pool I can get to with my kids without driving. It seems crazy that we're being encouraged to exercise more by the Government and yet this will make it harder."

Patsy O'Brien, of Junction Road, added: “It's the best pool for swimming in Oxford with good lanes — and it's one of our few community facilities in the area.”

Oxford City Council recently signed a deal with Fusion Lifestyles, an independent trust, to run the city’s leisure facilities for the next decade.

Fusion would help meet the cost of any new swimming facility that was built in the city.

Green city councillor Elise Benjamin, who is supporting the campaign, said: “Temple Cowley Pool is in a densley-populated part of Oxford with a high number of local users, many of whom are unlikely to travel out to Blackbird Leys to swim.

“A year ago, after years of under-investment, the city council allocated £100,000 for ‘gym redevelopment’ at Temple Cowley Pool — a waste of public money considering they now intend to demolish the building.

“Original plans to build a family-friendly indoor water park with slides and a wave machine next to Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre have now been dropped in favour of what looks to be a belated attempt to cash in on the 2012 Olympics.”

Labour city councillor Bob Timbs, executive member for leisure, said the Temple Cowley building was in a poor state, and was costing the council £500,000 a year to run.

He added: “It’s just too old and a drain on cash. It will cost millions to modernise so it’s far cheaper for the council to build a new pool.

“This will save thousands of pounds through energy-efficiency and a reduced carbon footprint.”

gsheldrick@oxfordmail.co.uk To sign the petition to save Temple Cowley Swimming Pool, visit www.ipetitions.com/petition/SaveTemple CowleySwimmingPool