CAMPAIGNERS have pledged to continue fighting for the future of Bingley swimming pool.
Earlier this year, the then-Conservative Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced in the Spring Budget that Bingley would receive £14.5 million as part of Levelling Up funding to refurbish and reopen the crumbling pool, which shut in 2020.
But Anna Dixon, who was elected Labour MP for Shipley in the July General Election, has said the new Labour Government was now "having to carefully review all Levelling Up projects" as the Tories "left a black hole in the country's finances".
She has written to the Government this week, pushing for the previously promised funding for Bingley pool to go ahead.
Jeremy Thackray, co-chair of the Friends of Bingley Pool, said the group was pleased to see Ms Dixon making the case for the cash injection to be honoured.
He added: "The reopening of the pool is one of the most significant issues in Bingley, as shown by the support our 10-year campaign has received.
"It is precisely the sort of investment that a new Government, hoping to regenerate our communities, should be making.
"Public finances are in a poor state, but that regeneration cannot occur through further rounds of cuts.
"We've tried that - it doesn't work."
Jeremy said: "The Government is not obliged to commit to funding decisions made before the General Election.
"However, the argument that Levelling Up fund money 'isn't there' does not stand up to scrutiny.
"All governments have choices over tax, spend and borrowing, and Labour can choose to continue this investment.
"Not to do so now will only increase financial and social costs in the long-term.
"The Friends of Bingley Pool meet with Ms Dixon later this month.
"We will urge her to continue lobbying ministers through further letters and actions, and we likewise urge everyone concerned to contact her and make clear the strength of our feeling on this matter - advice can be found on our website and social media pages.
"In July, many people voted for change.
"A re-opened Bingley Pool would deliver on that change.
"Its further neglect will not."
The Telegraph & Argus understands the Government will set out future details on Levelling Up funding "in due course".
Former Chancellor Mr Hunt described Labour's comments about the £22bn "black hole" as a "shameless attempt to lay the grounds for tax rises".
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