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Swimming Pool (Canvey Island)

The people of Canvey love our island and treasure its heritage. They are indebted to campaigners Lea and Liz Swann and to Councillor Dave Blackwell for trying to reverse a decision to destroy an important part of Canvey Island's seafront— the tidal pool. I am indebted to the 127 people who attended the public meeting last week and voted unanimously to retain the pool to keep our children on Canvey Island safer. They are calling on the borough councillors to rescind their decision. The petition states:"The Petition of Liz and Lea Swann, residents of Canvey Island and others,""Declares that they support and want to protect and enhance the Canvey Sea Front area and therefore object to the proposed removal of the swimming pool at the far end of Concord Beach; notes that the swimming pool is enjoyed by many local residents, particularly children, forms an important and historic part of the iconic Canvey Seafront, is important to local businesses that rely on the visitors for income during the summer months, and would cost very little to maintain; further declares that retaining the pool is by far the safer option and that this proposal has been made without any consultation of residents or businesses at all, that the council has not published any costs or proposals for consideration, has not consulted the Environment Agency on the environmental impact to the beach and surrounding properties, did not include Canvey Island's Town Councillors in discussions; that for these and many other valid reasons this proposal should be withdrawn by the mainland Conservative Borough Councillors, and that given the importance to the wider community of protecting this local beach attraction, the Council must properly and widely consult the public before making any decision.""The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons press the Government to urge Castle Point Borough Council, and the Conservative Council Group, to reject this proposal and instead spend public funds on the swimming pool's upkeep.""And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray."