We call on Oxford City Council to:
- Preserve the historic character and shape of Tumbling Bay river pool by seeking to repair or replace the existing wall.
- Ensure that ladders continue to be in situ to allow people to get out of the river safely.
- Work with local residents to explore ways in which funds could be raised to pay for the renovation work.
Why is this important?
Tumbling Bay is a much loved Victorian river swimming pool on a backwater of the River Thames just behind Botley Park in West Oxford.
For over 150 years local children have learned to swim in the pool. The north wall is in need of repair and the site has been fenced off for several months. The Council’s current plan is to smash up the existing wall to produce a sloping bank that will erase this valuable piece of local heritage.
While no longer an official bathing spot, Tumbling Bay is very much enjoyed by local residents. Hundreds of people swim there in the summer and a small number all year round. It is safer than the river as there are no boats going past. It is also part of our local history.