Plans to build a new multi-million pound public swimming pool in Redbridge after years of campaigning have been hailed as “worth the wait”.

The council has proposed building a 25-metre six lane pool and 40-station gym at Mayfield School in Pedley Road, Goodmayes.

If approved, it would be the second public pool in Redbridge following the closure of Ilford Swimming Pool in 2008.

Cllr Wes Streeting, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said the authority hoped to complete the facility – expected to cost £3.25million – over the next two-and-a-half years.

He said: “This is a huge step forward for the borough and will deliver on our promise to residents who have waited too long for a much-needed new public swimming facility.”

A new pool was one of Labour’s key pledges in the lead-up to the council elections in May.

Currently there are 895 children and 211 adults on the waiting list for lessons at Fullwell Cross Leisure Centre in Barkingside.

The proposals – which would cost £2.75m in council funds and £500,000 from external sources – will go before the health, leisure and older people service committee on Monday, January 5.

Ilford South MP Mike Gapes said he was “absolutely delighted”, and Darren Mendel, chairman of the London Borough of Redbridge Swimming Club, said the pool would be “worth the wait”.

“Increasing the number of pools in the borough by 100 per cent can only be doing a good thing,” he said.

But leader of Redbridge Conservatives Cllr Paul Canal said the Mayfield School proposal was the “wrong pool, wrong place, wrong price”.

“Building it 10 feet from the borough boundary in south east Redbridge is ridiculous,” he said.