Croydon Central Tory MP Andrew Pelling shed his political persuasion recently by siding with the campaigners against the new Conservative administration's plans to refurbish rather than rebuild South Norwood Pool.

He joined campaign groups People for Portland Road, South Norwood Residents' Association and Save South Norwood Sports Centre as well as members of the public at a meeting in St Mark's Church, South Norwood.

Mr Pelling said: "I think it is right for the community to lobby the council about the pool and I think there is a misconception that this is a Labour party campaign. Lots of people want to see investment in Portland Road.

"It was an error to take money away from the community and invest elsewhere in the borough and it's a shame that they have gone back on the original decision.

"I'm still hopeful that the refurbishment will add to the regeneration of Portland Road. What particularly needs to be looked at, if we are encouraging people to come to the pool, is what can we do to encourage them to stay in the area.

"I will continue to lobby my colleagues at the council behind the scenes."

At the meeting the campaigners drafted a series of questions that they plan to challenge the new Conservative administration to answer. They include:

  • Can they prove that the existing building structure is genuinely sound enough to be refurbished and show us the survey reports to prove it?
  • The money which will be spent compensating the original building contractor could be hundreds of thousands of pounds. How much will Croydon taxpayers be spending on this compensation?

Campaigners presented a 3,000-signature petition at a full council meeting last month where they were told the council could not afford to build a new leisure centre.

But despite the council's decision the campaign continues with further signatures being collected until the end of August.

You can express your views about South Norwood Pool on croydonguardian.co.uk/views.