With reference to the current debate on the Knap Pool: Over the years, the many councils in power in Barry have wanted to close the Knap Pool and sell off the land for development and have looked for any excuse to do so.

Their first act of vandalism was to allow a sewerage pump station to be built in its surrounds. What other local authority would even contemplate such an action? I wonder how long it will remain in use if luxury housing that very few residents of Barry can afford is built on the pool site?

At a meeting I attended, a number of suggestions were made for the development and future use of the pool as a water sports centre.

The pool, which is one of the longest in the country, could, with the installation of a wave machine, be used both as an indoor surf and canoe slalom training centre.

Most surfers and canoeists wear wetsuits, which would allow them to use the pool all year round.

Another idea was for the installation of solar panels to raise the water's temperature in the summer months; both suggestions were completely ignored by the council who even then seemed determined to sell the pool off.

How is it that the Vale Council, Barry Action and other public bodies can find millions to spend on a railway that runs nowhere and attracts less visitors in a season than the pool attracted on a fine bank holiday weekend and yet cannot find the money to refurbish the pool?

Like the Square, Town Hall and Library it stands out as another example of planned municipal vandalism.

Tom Clemett Church Road Cadoxton Barry