Work beginning to replace broken lift at Bletchley Leisure Centre
Work is set to get underway to replace the broken lift at Bletchley Leisure Centre.
Milton Keynes City Council has confirmed that contractor Serco is now starting the process to replace the lift, which has been assessed as beyond repair following incidents of vandalism over the years.
The first stage in the process is procurement, which involves the lift being manufactured and tested, and once this is completed, it is estimated that its installation will take between six and eight weeks.
To maintain accessibility to the centre, located on Princes Way, disabled parking bays have been temporarily relocated to the ground floor of the multi-storey car park.
The replacement of the lift forms part of a programme of improvements at the leisure centre, which also includes a new splash pad outdoor water play area.
Milton Keynes City Council announced in January that nearly £3 million would be invested in leisure facilities across the city as part of a new long-term contract, which includes the replacement of the lift at Bletchley.
Council leader Jane Carr said: “Residents are right to expect accessible leisure facilities, and that is why the council has already committed funding to replace the lift and improve accessibility at Bletchley Leisure Centre.
“The existing lift has been assessed as beyond repair and Serco is now moving forward with the procurement and installation process to deliver a long-term solution.
“People understandably ask why a lift can’t just be replaced straight away. The reality is that these are highly specialised systems that must be procured, manufactured, installed and safety tested.
“We want to ensure the replacement is done properly and safely so residents have reliable facilities for years to come.”
Among the facilities at Bletchley Leisure Centre are an eight-lane swimming pool, a multi-purpose sports hall, a soft play area for children, and a group exercise studio offering classes including yoga and pilates.