COUNCILLOR Saj Malik’s letter to local residents defending Labour’s plans to close Temple Cowley Pools and gym smacks of desperation.

The letter is at best misleading and, at worst, a wilful distortion of the facts.

The evidence for retaining the complex is clear: The cost of refurbishing Temple Cowley is less than the cost of building a new pool on the outskirts of town – even taking into account Labour’s plans to sell off the Temple Cowley site.

The planned new pool will be inaccessible by the vast majority of current users, who walk, cycle or use public transport.

Temple Cowley Pools are not the environmental disaster that the Labour group claim.

All pools use energy – but Temple Cowley is one of the most efficient and can be made more efficient still as part of any refurbishment.

The people of Oxford have spoken clearly and decisively on the issue presenting one of the city’s largest-ever petitions (more than 12,000 signatures) to the city council.

Why won’t councillor Malik and his Labour colleagues listen?

CRAIG SIMMONS Vice chair Oxfordshire Green Party Magdalen Road Oxford