Councillors have called on Warwick District Council's cabinet to find an effective and low-carbon solution to indoor exercise in Kenilworth whilst the town's leisure facilities are rebuilt.

A motion presented by Cllr Richard Dickson at last week's full council meeting calling for the cabinet to work on a plan for the next 18 months was approved by fellow councillors.

When Abbey Fields Swimming Pool and Castle Farm Recreation Centre are knocked down to be rebuilt there will be indoor sports facilities in Kenilworth aside from the Meadow Lane Community Sports Centre.

Cllr Dickson called on the cabinet to find a solution that would not lose long term customers from Everyone Active, and would also not have a negative impact on the district's carbon emissions.

He said: "This motion calls on the cabinet to take some practical positive action for the users of its leisure facilities in Kenilworth.

"Its principle aim is to ensure that users of the Kenilworth swimming and leisure facilities continue as active members of Everyone Active during the planned 18 months simultaneous demolition and construction of Abbey Fields Swimming Pools and Castle Farm Leisure Centre.

"Unless people cycle there will be a negative impact on the district's carbon emissions as a result of extra vehicle journeys taken there from Kenilworth."

Cllr Dickson also emphasised that the motion was not prescriptive of what changes the cabinet should be making.

"It is simply mandating that the cabinet work with Everyone Active to make sure that any potential income loss during the closure of the facilities is minimised and that opportunities for additional local exercise in Kenilworth are put in place," he added.

Speaking in support of the motion culture, tourism and leisure portfolio holder Cllr Liam Bartlett said: "We are exploring very creative solutions and ways in which alternative decisions, options that are local, potentially the local school, local schools and of course the variety of outdoor spaces within the town.

"The exact details of this are due to come forward in the next week or so, and I am very keen to take this through the programme advisory board which meets at the start of November and then immediately follow that with an announcement to the public.

"This administration is committed to ensure that alternatives are innovative, are creative, are low carbon and so I fully support the motion."