Sir – It seems Oxford City Council are still determined to close Cowley Leisure Centre in favour of a new pool at Blackbird Leys.

They boast that the new pool will have a movable bottom at one end, just like the Oxford University pool. Apparently this is essential for water polo games, however, if Oxford University have a pool of this nature, surely that could be used for water polo; I don’t believe that we have so many water polo teams that two pools are necessary.

Also, Oxford University’s inherent wealth means they will maintain their pool and facilities. The present Cowley pool is not maintained. For example they installed a system which requires all the pools to be emptied before repairs can be carried out on any of the pools. Consequently the diving pool has been shut for about the last ten years, probably for something minor such as replacing a few tiles. Also to suggest that upgrading Cowley rather than installing a new pool at Blackbird Leys will be more expensive, is complete rubbish; why don’t they publish the hard facts of the costs.

There will be no council leisure facilities in Marston, Headington or Cowley, the most heavily populated area of Oxford. Blackbird Leys gets the main facilities again.

Martin Scarfe , Headington