It was an absolute privilege to visit the new Hyde swimming pool this morning, which opens to the public tomorrow. The facilities are superb, and you will notice the whole complex has been improved, with more space in the reception and the gym and pool now being fully integrated. I’m also really pleased to see full disability access is standard throughout, including a Changing Places toilet and independent access for wheelchair users to the pool, which is 25 metres long with 6 lanes.

This is a tremendous asset for Hyde and all of Tameside. It represents an investment of £4m that will provide first class facilities for decades and build on Hyde’s historic association with swimming. Huge thanks to Active Tameside and Tameside Council for delivering on this – and in time for the summer holidays! Special shout outs to Reg Patel from Active Tameside for showing me around, and to the Hyde Councillors, especially Joe Kitchen, for pushing for this investment for years.