SIR, Demolition of Monmouth's swimming pool is due to start early in 2015 as the site of the current pool is on higher ground and is more suitable for the new school building. Residents are very upset as public subscription and local school children funded 50 per cent of the Monmouth pool when it was built. The lack of a public swimming pool in a town of over 10,000 people will cause real hardship to the many people who use it – especially the children, those with handicaps, the elderly, and primary school children – who will have to be bussed to other pools if swim time can be found in their own busy schedules. At a public meeting on 21st July it was stated that cabinet agreed the pool must be replaced 'concurrently' with the school build, and mentioned a timescale of one year. This does not concur with what our members have been informed privately by county councillors. Whereas planning permission is being sought in August for the new school, only a vague outline planning permission for a new swiming pool is included in the application. Furthermore, no funding has been allocated to replace the swimming pool, a feasibility study has yet to report, there are ongoing discussions with National Resource Wales regarding flood mitigation, and potential funding opportunities have yet to be identified. National Resources Wales' statutory requirements limited the options of where to site the school. Will a similar limitation affect a proposed pool extension on the far side of the leisure centre where the ground is more prone to flooding? Yes it will be wonderful if Monmouth has a new 25-metre pool within the 12 month timescale quoted. But is it smoke and mirrors? We remain sceptical. Please help us to keep up the pressure on the Monmouthshire County Council by signing the online petition on http://www.monmouthswimmers.com">www.monmouthswimmers.com or comment on Monmouth Community or Monmouth Swimmers Facebook pages. Jenny Robbins (Monmouth Swimmers)