Leisure users angry at ban from college (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Leisure users angry at ban from college

LEISURE centre users in Moreton are unhappy after being banned from the Fire Service College for an indefinite period while troops undergo training in readiness for a threatened fire service strike.

As from Monday, members of the public who use the college's leisure centre have been excluded from the fire college site as part of the security operation surrounding the deployment of more than 3,000 troops at the college during the next two months.

Leisure centre users at the Fire Service College received a letter last week telling them that they would not be able to use the gym, swimming pool or sports hall for an "indefinite period" on the orders of Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

Gym user Ian Bilbey, aged 36, of Dulverton Park, Moreton, said: "I've been going three times a week for four years and there is nowhere else to go.

"Chipping Norton and Chipping Campden are a long way away and you have to pay to join another gym."

He said he appreciated the need to train the army but questioned whether the sports facilities at the college were really public if they could be shut down at a moment's notice.

"If it's not a public facility then it's not a public facility. If that's the case then Moreton needs one," said freelance designer Mr Bilbey.

His views were echoed by record producer George Shilling, 38, of Great Wolford, who said: "I have arrived back from being away for six weeks and was raring to get back into gym training and I can't.

"I think it's outrageous. My understanding is that part of the benefit would be that there was a community use.

"If it's being closed as a security measure then we have got as much right to be there as the employees."

Mr Shilling was unimpressed with the possibility of having his annual membership extended to compensate for the current closure.

"It's hardly the point," he said.

David Nieberg, spokesman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, said: "All we can do is apologise for any inconvenience to leisure centre users. It's not something we see as an ideal situation."

He said the centre had been closed to the public for security reasons and to enable troops stationed at the college to use the facilities.