‘Construction problems’ have held up the completion of Soham’s long-awaited new swimming pool, it was revealed this week.

The pool, which is being built adjacent to St Andrew’s Primary School, was scheduled to be open back in February but a series of problems encountered by builders means the school no longer has a completion date.

At one point, building work come to a halt to allow builders to carry out ground investigations but the head teacher of St Andrew’s Primary, Richard Liddington, is confident they are now entering the final stages.

He said: “We are sorry and frustrated by the lack of progress with the completion of the pool, which should have opened in February.

“We have faced a number of construction problems which brought the project to a temporary halt, most specifically the need for additional ground investigations and the need to upgrade the electrical supply into the school.

“I am pleased to report that solutions to both of these problems are in hand and that construction work has now recommenced. The changing rooms, plant room and pool have been constructed and the ‘first fix’ is under way.

“The next major landmarks will be the installation of the roof and the upgrade to the electrical supply, which should both be completed within the next month.

“Although we don’t yet have a completion date, we do believe that the finishing straight is in sight.”

A dedicated group of fund-raisers was formed back in 2010 with the task of raising the £170,000 needed to fund the new pool after the school’s old outdoor facility was condemned.

In a little less than two years, all funds had been collected and an agreement was reached whereby all primary school pupils in Soham would be able to share the facility, instead of having to be bussed into Ely for swimming lessons.