Ilford Swimming Pool has been closed following a structural report and further advice from experts.

The swimming pool had been due to close on 22 December this year but the results of a recent survey showed extensive deterioration of the swimming pool recently.

Councillor Mrs Linda Huggett, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and the Olympics said: "I am very sad that we have had to bring forward the closure of the Pool in this way, but the Council is not prepared to make compromises or take risks over the safety of the public.

"There has been a rapid deterioration in the structure of the Pool in recent months. Bringing forward the closure of the Pool by three months is the best option to ensure there are no risks to the public.

"The Council is not prepared to make compromises or take risks over the safety of the public"

"The Council is now working with Vision, the Leisure Trust that operates the Pool, to ensure that all regular users, schools and clubs are informed of the closure and further information will be available on the Vision and Council website from today."

Council officers are already working with colleagues from the pool's management company, Vision - Redbridge Culture & Leisure Ltd to inform customers.

Officers will be meeting with colleagues from Vision today and over the next week, to see if we can bring forward a revised programme for relocating the primary schools swimming programme from Ilford Pool to Fullwell Cross Pool, as proposed for January 2009.

Membership fees are being discussed with colleagues from Vision, and updates will be available on the Vision website from later today. All enquiries on membership will be dealt with at Fullwell Cross Pool.

Officers are working with colleagues from Vision to ensure that all regular users, schools and clubs are informed of the closure and further information will be available on the Vision website and Redbridge i when it becomes available.

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