Bank Holiday leisure centre closures hit Wiltshire families

• Conservatives close almost all of Wiltshire's leisure centres on bank holidays
• Lib Dems suggest alternatives to Conservative's cuts

In frontline cuts the Council promised not to make, leisure centres across Wiltshire were closed to the public this bank holiday. Those remaining few leisure centres who opened have been forced to massively hike prices.

Paul Sample, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Salisbury St Edmund and Milford, said "The Lib Dems fully understand the Council has to make big reductions in funding, but as we identified during this year's budget debate, there is tremendous waste and inefficiency behind the scenes at the Council. This is where cuts should happen, but the Conservative administration has ignored us, and cut straight at the frontline"

"The bank holiday is a great time for families to do healthy and fun activities together, like going for a swim. The Conservative Council's changes mean the leisure centres in Salisbury are either closed, or charging obscene amounts when they open. Wiltshire isn't going to get healthier like this."

Paul continued: "When I was Leader of Salisbury District Council, we were able to open Five Rivers on bank holidays. It was very popular with local residents. The ticket income from visitors, and income from catering and vending machines meant that it was cost neutral. All that is required is the political will to open these essential public services at times when people want to use them."

Lib Dem Council Group Leader Jon Hubbard said "Conservatives at County Hall have time after time promised that there will be no frontline cuts. Yesterday, at leisure centres across the county, doors were locked and people were denied access to these public facilities.If these aren't cuts then what are?"