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The council were forced to shut Ilford Swimming Pool, on High Road, following fears over the building's safety.

The pool was scheduled for closure in December but the council say a recent structural survey revealed the building was unsafe.

John Sharrock, Chair of the Redbridge Swimmer's Association said he was "totally gutted" at the news.

"The Council have known for years that the building was old and would need replacing.

"But they've failed in every way to make sure adequate provisions were in place to either repair of replace the pool.

"It's not just the borough's youngsters who will miss out either.

This pool has been a lifeline for the our elderly people. It was a part of their quality of life and now, unless they are prepared to travel very long distances, many may never see a pool again.

"The only swimming pool left in the borough is the one in Fullwell Cross and that's now going to have to cater for around a quarter of million people."

Short-changed

13 year-old Tyler Harrington said he felt short-changed by the closure and has little or no alternative other than to travel long distances to the nearest swimming pool.

"Obviously we accept that the structure is dangerous but the council should have had made plans for an alternative rather than just close down the one swimming pool that we have in the area.

"The closure means I won't be able to go swimming anymore. The one in Fullwell Cross is impractical for me to get to. It's just too far away.

"It's such a big borough and to have only the one swimming pool is ridiculous."

Last year, proposals for a new 35 million pound swimming, leisure facility and school on the adjacent Cricklefields Recreation Ground were under scrutiny by the Council but any plans have yet to receive the official green light.

Safety fears

A council spokesman said: "The swimming pool had been due to close on 22nd December this year but the results of a recent survey showed extensive deterioration of the swimming pool recently."

Councillor Mrs Linda Huggett, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and the Olympics said: "I am very sad that we have had to bring forward the closure of the Pool in this way, but the Council is not prepared to make compromises or take risks over the safety of the public.

"There has been a rapid deterioration in the structure of the Pool in recent months.

"Bringing forward the closure of the Pool by three months is the best option to ensure there are no risks to the public.

"The Council is now working with Vision, the Leisure Trust that operates the Pool, to ensure that all regular users, schools and clubs are informed of the closure and further information will be available on the Vision and Council website from today."

The Council spokesman added: "Council officers are already working with colleagues from the pool's management company, Vision... to see if we can bring forward a revised programme for relocating the primary schools swimming programme from Ilford Pool to Fullwell Cross Pool, as proposed for January 2009.

"Membership fees are being discussed and updates will be available on the Vision website. All enquiries on membership will be dealt with at Fullwell Cross Pool.

"Officers are working with colleagues from Vision to ensure that all regular users, schools and clubs are informed of the closure and further information will be available on the Vision and Redbridge i."

What are your thoughts on the pool's closure? Are you a regular swimmer who has been left high and dry? Or do you think Fullwell Cross Swimming Pool is a adequate alternative? Email me: kulwant.sohal@bbc.co.uk