Many of you will be aware that Moseley Road Baths is currently closed as work was due to begin on the lintel area around the Fire Exit on Pool 2 this month.
Councillor Mullaney last week posted up a report on the latest developments which I would recommend people read to have a grasp of what is happening. The upshot is that further inspection is needed of the structure supporting the wall and the windows and that this will determine the time and cost involved. Funding is apparently available, but has not yet been signed off by the Council.
Friends of Moseley Baths, whilst appreciating the scale, scope and cost of the work, are anxious to see the pool reopen as quickly as possible. The Hall Green Constituency currently has no swimming provision at all, something which is disastrous for those who rely on regular swims to maintain mobility and good health, and especially concerning for young people locally who are being denied the chance to learn basic water safety. We want to see the work completed to the standard required of a Grade II* listed building.
It’s crucial that the public remain involved in monitoring what is happening. We are asking people during the closure to contact local Councillors to ask them to commit to the maintenance and reopening of the building.
Please take the time and contact your local Councillors or attend local advice surgeries to ask for updates on the work, and to ensure that they will fully support the maintenance work and reopening of the pool. Make sure that you use the comments page and/or our e-mail address to let us know if you get any response! You may wish to ask them:
What do they know about the closure?
Are they actively pressing to ensure that the work is moving forward?
Will they approve the budget for the repairs to be done?
Are they committed to the future of swimming at Moseley Road Baths?
Are they prepared to make a public statement about the lack of all swimming provision in the Hall Green Constituency?
Are they committed to keeping Moseley Road Baths within local authority control?
Will they campaign on the issue in upcoming local elections?
We would also encourage people to contact the local press and attend local Ward Committee and Constituency meetings to keep the issue in the public eye.
Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Culture – Cllr. Martin Mullaney – Martin.Mullaney@birmingham.gov.uk
Ward Councillors
Cllr. Mohammed Ishtiaq – Mohammed.Ishtiaq@birmingham.gov.uk
Cllr. Shokat Ali – Shokat.Ali@birmingham.gov.uk
Cllr. Salma Yaqoob – Salma.Yaqoob@birmingham.gov.uk
Local Press
Birmingham Post – Upload letters to the Editor here
Birmingham Mail – letters@birminghammail.net or call freephone number 0800 138 2555 or 0870 830 6985 between 8am and 5.30pm specifying that you are submitting a letter to the Birmingham Mail.