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22
Jul 2021
Lib Dem leader calls for Ripon Leisure Centre safety investigation
The leader of the Liberal Democrats on Harrogate Borough Council has called for an independent investigation into the building of Ripon's new swimming pool and existing leisure centre after a leading authority on ground stability in Ripon raised serious safety concerns.
Earlier this week the Stray Ferret revealed that geologist Dr Alan Thompson, an expert on the city's long-standing gypsum and sink hole problems, had sent a strongly worded letter to councillors to highlight his concerns.
His letter referred to an inspection carried out by global consultancy firm Stantec into a "cavity" that appeared near the entrance to the existing leisure centre building in September 2020.
Dr Thompson wrote that he had to intervene as he feared Harrogate Borough Council was not taking ground stability issues raised within the inspection seriously enough.
Read our exclusive report about Dr Thompson's concerns and the Stantec report.
Cllr Pat Marsh, who is the leader of the Liberal Democrats on Harrogate Borough Council, told the Stray Ferret:
Read more:
- Serious safety concerns after Ripon Leisure Centre report
- Ripon Leisure Centre history – grounds for concern
Cllr Pauline McHardy, of Ripon Independents whose ward the leisure centre falls under, said she was "very concerned" by the report.
She said:
Cllr Stan Lumley, who is the conservative cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, told the Stray Ferret what he made of the report:
On Tuesday Harrogate Borough Council responded Stray Ferret questions about Dr Thompson's concerns by issuing a statement:
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