Wow - I got a response!! The station being revamped "at some point in the future" isn't really a solid answer but to be honest I wasn't even expecting a reply (hoping for yes, but not expecting). Let's hope they provide some answers about the pools sooner rather than later...

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Thank you for your good wishes for the season.

Like you I was delighted with the recognition of the Horniman Museum - as a Trustee of the Museum I know how hard the staff work there to make it the marvellous place it is. We are currently working on ambitious plans to make the gardens even better, and no doubt you will be hearing more about this in the year ahead.

As you didn't mention Forest Hill Library, word may not have reached you that it is now open again after being given a thorough revamp - the interior of the building is a tremendous period piece, and can be seen to much better effect now that it has been opened up. The Library is now equipped to a very modern standard, and is a much more welcoming place - it is also open 7 days a week!

Of the specific issues you mentioned, only the Pool is in my direct control. As you may know I want to see the Pool refurbished, and have put aside ?5m to do this. Various technical experts have been working on the building, and have raised some serious concerns about the risks associated with renovating the actual pool itself, and the associated plant because its age. We are currently evaluating this, and hope to be able to let people know what will be happening in the new year.

We have been pressing the railway companies about the station - it will be improved at some point in the future as part of the East London Line project on which construction work has just started. The Council encourages business development in Forest Hill as it does throughout the borough but we cannot regulate the market which determine whether or not shops open or close.

I am afraid I cannot agree with the assertion that Forest Hill has not been given priority - apart from the investment in the Library, Forest Hill Boys school opened a new Sports Hall which is available for public use last year, and work on an entire new school is nearing completion. If you are seeking further capital investment for the area beyond that already made or set aside for the pools, it could only come by taking it from other areas which have yet to receive a similar investment, and despite my own commitment to Forest Hill as a resident for more than 25 years, I have a duty to be fair to the whole of the borough of Lewisham.

Yours sincerely

mayor, Steve Bullock