SIR,

The early morning swimmers, and no doubt the other users of Monmouth swimming pool, are very disappointed that the pool is to be closed for sixteen weeks.

When the changing rooms in Ross-on-Wye Leisure Centre were updated some 18 months to two years ago, they did so with no closure of the pool to the public.

They did this by putting up a temporary partition in one changing room, while they refurbished the other.

In Monmouth we are fortunate to have a disabled changing shower room, as well as male and female facilities.

Surely it would be possible to continue to allow us to swim during the time of refurbishment?

The alternatives in Abergavenny and Chepstow could add up to a 34 mile round trip, which is just not viable for many people.

In the worst case scenario, couldn't one changing room be kept open and allow men and women to use it on alternate days?

Sixteen weeks is an unconscionable time to take for work that does not even include the swimming pool.

Please could the timetable be reconsidered so that the public is inconvenienced for a much shorter time?

(Early morning swimmers

Monmouth Leisure Centre)