CONCERNS the future of Cirencester's Open Air Pool was in jeopardy because of vital repair work have been allayed.

The Environment Agency was planning to carry out essential maintenance work on the River Churn later this month, next to the lido.

However the move caused anger when it was revealed the main entrance to the facility, off Thomas Street, would be closed for up to three weeks to allow for the work - in the middle of the pool's open season.

Now, following representations by pool managers and local councillor Deryck Nash, the EA has agreed to carry out the work in the autumn, after the pool has closed.

EA spokesman Marcus van Someren said; "From our perspective, the best time is in summer when the stream's flow is relatively gentle.

"But to do the work we need to close the street to pedestrian access, and we accept that this could reduce the number of visitors to the pool.

"It's such a valuable local amenity that the last thing we'd want to do is potentially deprive it of much-needed revenue.

"So we're happy to reschedule our work for September, when the pool has closed and the stream's flow should still be manageable.

"We'd like to offer the pool's management our very best wishes for their most successful summer yet."

The EA needs to replace a trash screen in the Daglingworth Stream section of the Churn, which runs along the edge of the town centre.

The screen is designed to collect rubbish and prevent blockages further down stream and the agency says the work is essential to keep in line with health and safety regulations.

The EA had planned to send pool users on a mile-long detour to the Barton Lane entrance of the stream-side access walk, while the work was carried out.

But Cirencester Open Air Swimming Pool Association chairman George Brazier says he is delighted with the EA's compromise.

He said: "We're very relieved and pleased that they've seen sense. The pool is very weather dependant. If the work had taken place during three gorgeous weeks, it would have been catastrophic for us."

While county, district and town councillor Deryck Nash added: "We're absolutely delighted we were able to intervene for the benefit of the pool association and the community."