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Easington MP Grahame Morris, along with Local Labour Councillors, have called on Durham County Council to prioritise swimming facilities in Seaham as part of a campaign to secure new leisure amenities in the area.

In a letter to the Corporate Director for Regeneration, Economy, and Growth, Mr. Morris highlights the development of new leisure facilities in Bishop Auckland. The MP welcomed this progress as a positive sign that the issues relating to ‘hyper-inflation’ of costs have been overcome since his last meeting with the Council Director.

Mr. Morris stated that the need for new swimming facilities in his constituency has been well established through the Council’s original proposals in 2020, along with comments from Swim England, which previously emphasised the need to increase swimming provision in County Durham.

Speaking after the publication of the letter, Mr. Morris said:

“The case for new swimming facilities has been clearly demonstrated, and the demand for these services will only increase due to the many new housing developments approved by the County Council, including 1700 new homes in the South of Seaham Garden Village.

Seaham is a large and growing town, attracting visitors from the wider region. As the Easington constituency is the only area in County Durham with a coastline, swimming is an important life skill.

The area has a growing water sports following, and the addition of a new swimming pool will strengthen our local offerings, helping make our community the best in the County to live, work, and visit.”

Mr. Morris spoke about the investments going into areas like Bishop Auckland and has asked that East Durham receives the support it was promised. He added:

“In 2020, Durham County Council Labour Group brought forward proposals to redevelop leisure facilities across the County. I know Councillors, particularly Cllr Kevin Shaw, was instrumental in ensuring the expansion and modernisation of facilities in East Durham.

Labour Councillors in the area and I were concerned about reports of cost inflation, but if the Tory led-Coalition at County Hall can find the money to deliver facilities in Bishop Auckland, an area that is already benefiting from levelling up funding denied to East Durham. It would be an outrage to fail to deliver the swimming facilities promised to Seaham.

I am working closely with Labour Councillors to get residents the much-needed reassurance on the future of long-awaited new leisure amenities. There is currently much uncertainty, but a clear commitment from the Council that promised facilities will be delivered within the time scale promised will put the concerns of the community at ease.”