Drumchapel's Patricia Ferguson talks about the swimming pool

Understandably, many public buildings closed during lockdown.

Most have now reopened but Drumchapel Swimming Pool is still closed.

When restrictions began to be lifted, it was decided that some upgrading work would be carried out at the pool but that it would reopen in the summer.

Young people and their families were looking forward to having the use of the pool over the summer holidays but it was then decided by the operators, Glasgow Life, that some further refurbishment work would be done while the pool was closed, with a revised opening date of October, just in time for the October break.

With the building on the brink of reopening, an important potential safety issue was suspected.

It now seems likely that the pool building contains some RAAC concrete – a defective form of concrete which has been discovered in many buildings throughout the UK.

Obviously, for the safety of all potential users, it is important that any RAAC is removed.

At the October meeting of Glasgow City Council, I took the opportunity to ask the convenor of Glasgow Life how long it would take to establish if there was RAAC concrete in the building and what the likely opening date might be.

Unfortunately, the assessment of the building has still to begin and a reopening date can’t be provided.

The convenor did confirm that she is committed to the pool reopening but was unable to confirm that Glasgow Life had the necessary money to carry out the repairs.

I will continue to press for the pool to be reopened as soon as it is safe to do so.

On a separate issue, a number of areas within the Drumchapel/Anniesland ward flood when heavy rain occurs.

The reasons for this can be complicated, involving sewer capacity and climate change, but in some areas the flooding is caused entirely by an excess of ground water which doesn’t clear because of blocked gullies.

I recently discovered that, in some locations, gullies have seized and can’t easily be opened.

As a result, while other gullies in the location are cleared, those that cannot be opened are simply noted and left to be cleared at a later date.

This in turn leaves the street or area in question vulnerable to flooding, as the gullies which are clear cannot cope with the volume of water.

I asked the convenor of the relevant department if he would commit to ensuring that all gullies in a street or location would be cleared at the same time to ensure the maximum opportunity for rainwater to clear away.

Unfortunately, the convenor was unable to commit to this change to the working practice of the department, which is very disappointing.