CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save a swimming pool have launched a new bid to convince Oxford City Council to change its mind.

The council plans to knock down Temple Cowley Pools and replace the ageing centre with a new £9m complex next to the Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre in Pegasus Road.

But members of the Save Temple Cowley Pools campaign have launched another petition which has gained so many signatures it will trigger a council debate.

Campaigner Jane Alexander said: “We got more than 1,500 signatures in less than three weeks which is absolutely amazing.

“People were queueing up to sign our petition. Presenting it to the council will give us a chance to have some kind of debate.

“Hopefully the council will see reason. We would like to think the council can change its mind.”

Figures in a city council report discussed last week show the number of visits made to Temple Cowley Pools in 2011/12 was just under 200,000.

Ms Alexander has not finished counting the signatures but estimates nearly 2,000 people put their name to the petition.

Campaigners have said it would be cheaper to refurbish the existing pool instead of building a new one in Blackbird Leys, which they say more people will have to drive to get to.

The city council is bound by its constitution to hold a debate on all petitions to full council which gather 1,500 signatures or more.

A vote will then be held on whether to take the action the petition requests – not to close Temple Cowley Pools or build a new complex in Blackbird Leys – or whether to commission further investigation.

City councillor Van Coulter, executive board member for leisure services, said: “We can go through the same arguments and give the same logical replies.

“They are obviously adamant that they want to keep their local pool but it was built in 1938 when there was no Greater Leys estate.”

He added the roof leaked at Temple Cowley Pools and added: “I am concerned about whether the facilities can last until we build the new pool.”

Mr Coulter said building the new pool would reduce annual running costs by £300,000 and said more people would be within a 15-minute walk of the pool.

He had hoped the new Blackbird Leys pool would open in September but it has been put on hold by an unsuccessful town green application for the site and a judicial review of the decision to close Temple Cowley Pools.

Mr Coulter said he would “only be guessing” if he suggested when the plans would get back on track.