PLANS for a new swimming pool and library for Ingleby Barwick have been well received, Stockton Borough Council's cabinet has been told.

The scheme to build a pool, gym, library and leisure facility at a site yet to be identified was approved at Thursday's meeting and £3.2m has already been earmarked.

Independent Ingleby Barwick (IBIS) councillor Ken Dixon, who is cabinet member for arts, leisure and culture, told the meeting: “I have spoken to a few people since this all came out and they are all ecstatic, as well as the residents.

“They can’t say enough about the improvements. We don’t have to get in our cars and drive wherever.”

Other leisure investments agreed by the cabinet include an £800,000 plan to improve parking at Preston Park, which now attracts 600,000 people a year, the most popular leisure attraction on Teesside.

A £35,000 feasibility study will also be launched into designs for a wooden footbridge across the Tees linking the park and Ingleby Barwick.

Eaglescliffe councillor Phillip Dennis, Conservative, said he had yet to meet anyone in Eaglescliffe who wanted the bridge, which he said could cost £2m, to be built.

He said: "On the Eaglescliffe side the bridge would not be welcome. Perhaps the money could be used to get more facilities on their own (Ingleby Barwick) community instead."

Cllr Jim Beall, Labour, responded that the bridge could also be used by Eaglecliffe residents who may wish to visit new facilities, including the new swimming pool. Preston Park is not just a local park but a sub-regional leisure centre, he said.

Plans to Yarm Library is also set to benefit from a £210,000 modernisation under the plans.