Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, recently visited the Wickford Fete, where he was briefed by Council officials on the new plans to regenerate Wickford Town Centre.
Mark visited the stand, provided by Basildon Borough Council, in order to discuss the new plans to completely refurbish Wickford swimming pool, as well as plans to build new public conveniences in the centre of the town.
Wickford swimming pool, which was was originally built in the 1960s, will be transformed into a £2million complex which will include a new hi-tech gym and fitness suite. The proposals have so far proved very popular with residents and are due to start at the end of the year, with scheduled completion by summer 2014.
Commenting on the proposals Mark said:
“I was pleased to be able to attend the Wickford Fete, which was smaller than last year’s event and did not have a carnival procession but, nevertheless, I was very grateful to the volunteers concerned for helping to keep the whole concept of the fete alive. Hopefully we may be able to return to some sort of carnival procession next year, which I think would be very popular with the people of Wickford.
In addition, there was a lot of positive interest in the plans to refurbish the swimming pool. I think that will be a great thing for Wickford and its people and I look forward to seeing the plans come to fruition next year.”