CONTRACTORS are hard at work on the £1.2million refurbishment of Taunton Swimming Pool.

The modernisation project, being carried out by Kier, and a project team including Taunton Deane Council and Tone Leisure, began when the Station Road pool closed in October – it is due to re-open in the spring.

The areas being improved have been stripped out, and work is underway making structural alterations to the changing area in readiness for a new village changing facility.

Scaffolding has gone up above the pool tank to allow the updating of the pool hall ceiling.

All the old plant equipment has been removed, along with the unsightly old ventilation shaft from the side of the building.

The upgraded pool will benefit from new filtration, boilers and an air handling unit which will bring greater energy savings.

A Taunton Deane Council spokeswoman said: “Both the council and contractors continue to work closely with Tone Leisure as operator on the design detail to ensure that the project achieves as much customer impact as possible.

“We’ll continue to keep the public updated on progress as we have since the work began.”

Meanwhile swimmers are making use of the pools in St James Street, Taunton, and Wellington during the closure.

A new pool is planned at Blackbrook Pavilion, Taunton, while the ageing St James Street pool will close and be demolished.