CONSTRUCTION of a new £5.7million swimming pool and spa in Taunton is well underway with diggers already on site.

The facility, beside the Blackbrook Pavilion sports centre, will eventually replace the ageing St James Street baths in the town centre.

The project will include a six-lane 25-metre pool, a smaller learner pool, spa and treatment rooms, changing village, cafe and kitchen and storage space.

The spa and café will provide extra facilities for swimmers, who can also use the neighbouring leisure centre.

Somerset County Gazette:

Diggers are in operation as work continues to lay the temporary and overflow car parks to ensure there is plenty of parking space for customers once the main construction begins in the first week of May.

The main car park will be closed from May 5 as the contractors move their hoarding and site office to begin building the main structure.

There will be signage to direct customers to the alternative parking.

A spokeswoman for Taunton Deane Council said: “Customers can be reassured that while the work goes on it’s business as usual at the popular Blackbrook leisure centre and no disruption to services and facilities.

“The pool at Blackbrook will be the first to be built in the borough in many years and will provide modern community swimming facilities for Taunton and further afield.

“It will be operated by the Council’s leisure partner, Tone Leisure.”

The contract is expected to take a year to complete and the opening is scheduled for early 2016 – depending on the weather.

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