MORE than 1,400 people have signed a petition to try and save the New Earswick swimming pool.

Last month, the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT), announced the pool would be closed from March next year, as the trust was running it at a loss of £132,000 a year, and repairs would cost £1.3m.

Members of the local swimming club and other groups immediately called for the trust to reconsider, and ward Councillors Keith Orrell, Carol Runciman and Chris Cullwick set up the petition.

The Liberal Democrat councillors called on the trust to carry out more consultation with the community, and said the decision to close “goes against JRHTs stated social values”.

The petition was signed by more than 1,400 people, including former Olympic swimmer Adrian Moorhouse, and was handed to the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust this week.

Cllr Runciman said: “We appreciate that housing associations are facing budgetary pressures, forced on them by the Government, but we would urge the trust to work with users and local people to explore ways of maintaining this facility. The petition we have handed in today represents local peoples desire to keep the pool and the JHRT should work with residents to this end.”

Cllr Orrell said: “The response has been amazing. We would urge anyone who has not signed our petition yet to do so. We need to show the Trusts how strongly people feel about the pool.”

Cllr Cullwick said: “We fully support all the users of the pool who have come together in their determination to keep the pool open. We will support them where we can in order to help them achieve.”

Members of the Friends of New Earswick Swimming Pool will today (SAT), meet with MP for York Outer Julian Sturdy to discuss the venue’s future.