Image: Wednesbury is set for a new swimming pool

Sandwell Council chiefs have started drawing up "urgent" plans for the development of a new swimming pool to replace an existing complex in Wednesbury, West Midlands.

Wednesbury Leisure Centre's two swimming pools have been shut for the last six months due to maintenance work, which has included the removal of asbestos.

However, routine repairs to the filtration systems have uncovered further maintenance and structural issues that the local authority said had put the centre beyond economic repair.

Deputy leader Steve Eling and the working group delivering new pools in Tipton and West Bromwich pools have now been tasked with drawing up plans for Wednesbury.

Eling said: "We will be able to provide a modern, energy-efficient centre, which can give people in Wednesbury new, high quality facilities to replace the current pools."

The new Tipton swimming pool is due to open next spring, while the West Bromwich pool will follow in 2015.

Details: www.sandwell.gov.uk

Image: cycreation/shutterstock.com