A DISABLED Bankie who was left unable to use the town’s swimming pool for more than a month after a key piece of equipment broke down can get back into the water – after the Post took up his case.

The hoist at the Clydebank Leisure Centre pool was repaired on Monday after the Post was contacted by the Reverend Robert Sharp.

Mr Sharp, who lives in Hardgate and uses a wheelchair, said he had phoned ahead to arrange several visits to the pool over the course of five weeks – but kept being told by the council that the hoist hadn’t been repaired.

Frustrated, he got in touch with the Post – and within days of contacting West Dunbartonshire Council, the fault was fixed.

The 60-year-old said: “I went down to the leisure centre. I had two carers who were prepared to come in with me.

“I asked the manager to show me the disability changing room to allow my carers to get a look at it and see what was involved, but the hoist wasn’t working.

“I was basically told I couldn’t get in so I phoned up to go back the next Thursday.

“I was all booked to go on the Thursday, and then I was told the hoist hadn’t been fixed yet – and that became a repeat pattern for the next three weeks.

“I felt like saying ‘what’s going on here? It’s taking too long’. I’m sure I’m not the only person who uses it.”

Mr Sharp said he used the pool regularly prior to lockdown as it helps him keep fit and he feels that it helps with his health.

He added: “I’ve always tried to keep myself fit. The worst thing I could do in my situation is stop exercising because I just start to clam up.

“I go swimming for a whole lot of reasons. It’s great – it helped me get a full stretch.

“Imagine sitting in a wheelchair all day. It takes quite a lot to stretch out at night. It does me good just the freedom of movement that you get in water you know that’s what I was really looking forward to.”

West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) said the device was repaired on Monday (May 30) and it had been out of use due to a delay in getting a replacement part.

A WDC spokesperson said: “We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused by our hoist being out of use. This was due to a delay in receiving a replacement part required to operate it safely.

“The hoist was fixed on Monday and is fully operational.”