MORE than 75 divers, swimmers and scuba divers united to talk about the lack of diving facilities in new plans for the Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre.

If approved, the plans will mean groups, including the Chelmsford and District Sub-Aqua Group, Chelmsford Diving Club, Chelmsford Swimming and Synchronised Swimming Club and the water polo club, may have to travel to pools in Southend or Stratford instead.

Diving club coach Heather Wilkinson said: “I’m so depressed.

My fellow coaches and I are unpaid volunteers , with full-time jobs and a passion to give children in Chelmsford and the surrounding areas our spare time for the chance to have a try and maybe even excel in the sport of diving.

“I urge councillors to think again.

They will be the ones who are thanked for giving the people Essex improved facilities as opposed to the ones loathed for removing them.”

Keith Sayward, of the Chelmsfordand District Sub-Aqua Group, said: “Without the depth of the diving pool, we can’t do rescue training, which is really important in scuba.”

Club chairman Dom Harvey added: “We’ve got 70 members, but other groups, like Scouts and schools, who have trial days with us, will also be affected.

“It would be a huge loss.”

Liberal Democrat councillor Stephen Robinson said: “We are a growing city and should be growing facilities, not taking them away.”

About 700 people have already signed a petition started by Lib Dem councillors to save the diving facilities and outdoor pool, which is also missing from the new plans.

Visit chelmsford-libdems.org.uk