FURIOUS townspeople have reacted with dismay to news that a proposed new multi-million pound leisure centre for Radcliffe has been put into doubt by budget cuts.

Cllr Jane Lewis, Bury Council’s deputy leader, warned residents at last week’s township forum meeting that funding for the scheme in currently uncertain, but has since reaffirmed the council’s commitment to redevelop the site of the former Radcliffe Pool, in Green Street.

The council is preparing to make £32 million budget cuts over the next three years, but local families and businesses fear that Radcliffe is in desperate need of new investment.

Eugene O’Donnell, who leads the Radcliffe Business Group, said: “I think people have become resigned to this sort of news in Radcliffe.

“The council can talk about building this leisure centre, but we know it isn’t going to happen.

“At least we do have Lidl coming in, which will hopefully bring more people to the town centre.

“I think if there is not going to be the leisure centre, I would like to see some upmarket retail on that site, or even bars and restaurants.

“There is nowhere in Radcliffe that you would go to at night. You can go out in Prestwich, Whitefield, Ramsbottom, and Bury, but there is nothing in Radcliffe that is attractive in that way.”

In a letter to the Radcliffe Times, Cllr Lewis said this week that the council does still want to redevelop the site, but must prioritise other services during a period of massive spending cuts.

She said: “We all want top quality leisure facilities, but our first priority must be to look after the most vulnerable people in our society. I’m sure all Radcliffe residents would agree with that, even if it means taking a bit longer to get a new leisure centre.

“We remain committed to continuing the regeneration of Radcliffe, and to building a new leisure/civic centre in the town, and we will keep residents up to date as these plans progress.”

Radcliffe residents have faced years of frustration as beloved institutions and public services have disappeared from the town – including the old swimming pool, Radcliffe Civic Suite, and the town’s police station.

Carl Mason, of Ainsworth Road, said: “In the last 30 years, Radcliffe has just gone downhill. I own a business in Radcliffe and everyone I speak to says the same thing.

“We feel like Bury’s poor relation. Before long, Radcliffe will just be one big housing estate and the residents just feel like we are banging our heads against a brick wall.

“If this continues then there will be a revolt.”

His brother, Barrie Mason, who runs the Central Snooker Club in Abden Street, added: “I have lived in Radcliffe for 50 years and I can remember when this was a thriving town and Ramsbottom was a dreadful place to live.

“Now look at how that has changed. Ramsbottom has reinvented itself and had loads of investment, and Radcliffe has been left behind.”