A SWIMMING pool is finally set to reopen within weeks after a blaze gutted the building.

Basildon Council has confirmed Billericay Swimming Pool will reopen and revealed the much-anticipated works are set to begin on Thursday.

The pool has been closed since last September after a fire, which erupted after a boiler system fault. during the incident, the works will be fix work caused by the fire.

Phil Turner, Tory councillor for Billericay West, said he has been campaigning for the pool, in Lake Meadows Park, to reopen.

He said: “We did originally think it would take between one and two months to get it open.

“I hope we can get this sorted in the not so distant future.

“I am just keeping on top of it to make sure this does happen.

“It has been shut for far too long.

“It needs to reopen very soon.”

The Conservative added: “Since I have been working on it, I’ve had residents from Basildon, Billericay and further afield contact me saying they want it open.

“It should not be taking a year to get this sorted.

“There was a similar incident at Gloucester Park Swimming Pool and it was reopened in a matter of months.

“I am pleased to see the officers are now taking steps to get our pool back open to the public again.

“I think the residents will be very pleased about this.”

Mr Turner said the cost is expected to be less than £100,000 to reinstate the 25 metre pool.

David Harrison, Wickford Independent and chairman of the neighbourhoods and public spaces committee on Basildon Council, also welcomed the news.

He said: “It’s all been sorted and it will be opened in between six to eight weeks.

“It has been an on going issue in the town and I am absolutely please to see this is going forward.”

Basildon Council is still expected to complete plans with millions of pounds have been promised for three new pools across the Basildon borough.

The council is expected to open new pools in Billericay, Pitsea and Laindon.

Estimates for the pool in Billericay vary from £2million to £9million.

The council has put forward two options for the future centre at Lake Meadows Park.

There are two options on the table; a new leisure centre with a 25m pool, 13m learner pool, changing rooms, health and fitness suite, cafe and 70 parking spaces, or a 25m pool, cafe and 50 space car park.