Perryman:

I think way too much weight is given to the location of WW (and especially its crime of being classified as SE26 (even if it does lie within the FH ward!)). By taking a purely dispassionate view on the provision of pools to FH/Lewisham, I really cannot see a problem with locating them at DR or at WW.*

To put Perryman's timings into context, the transport for london website also gives the current pools site as being a 10 minute walk from Forest Hill station using the same data as above (and so by your above assumption, se23ers on average live a 20 minute walk away from the current site).

I think those that would have walked this '20 minutes' previously wouldn't be fazed by a few more minutes' walk to get to a health/exercise venue. Those that previously hopped on a bus would have to sit on it for another 3 minutes to get to WW. If they were really lazy they could get on a bus at the stop opposite the pools (thus spending their money whilst walking past the DR parade of shops on the way to the stop! ).

Gaz
*I am also far from convinced of the importance of the pools to trade in FH and DR. These businesses have operated without the pools' passing trade for what will be 3 years this Friday now. As nice as Option 2 is, it is conceivable that these businesses will have to go without for at least another 6 years - at what point are these businesses no longer dependent on the pools?

One thing I can totally understand though, is the desire for another focal/destination spot for FH (in the mold of the Hornimans). I personally though, would still rather have pools 'now' rather than the potential of some 'destination' pools in the future. So unless and until the Option 2 timeframe is shortened and its certainty of actually being built is firmed up I cannot support this option.

(I'm going to try and not post anything further on this debate now - unless developments emerge on getting Option 2 feasibly built before 2012!)