Changing room is a big turn off

Some residents claim the area at the Dolphin Centre, in School Drive, makes them feel vulnerable, that the cubicles are cramped and there are no seating facilities.

Freda Perry, of Littleheath Lane, Lickey End, walked out of the centre last week without swimming because of the problems.

"The new cubicles are tiny and there are no benches inside to put your clothes on or sit on. How is anyone supposed to dry their feet and get their socks, tights or shoes on?

"The cubicles have one single hook, which just isn't enough, so all your clothes end up getting wet."

She added: "It's a shame as it is a great pool and I really enjoy going but I feel the new changing rooms are dreadful."

Niki Lambourne, of Bourne Avenue, Catshill, said she was the last woman to leave the pool area at 10.20pm one night last week, and either side of her changing room were men.

She said: "I felt nervous and vulnerable. There were no staff in the changing area and no panic button available. Anything could have happened to me.

"Responsible adults now do not walk outside in the dark on our own and take quite a lot of responsibility for personal safety, but I was worried, changing out of a swimsuit into clothes with men just a partition away."

Robbie Hazlehurst, Bromsgrove District Council's director of leisure services, said benches would be provided in all the cubicles, but in the meantime plastic chairs are being used. The height of lockers would also be extended so people couldn't peep over or interfere with the privacy of others.

He added: "We did a lot of consultation and made it clear to people using the facilities it would be changing from separate sex to communal facilities and the reaction was positive, particularly with the addition of family and group changing rooms.

"We have tried to design the new changing rooms around what people told us. As with any new facility there will be teething issues, which should be brought to the attention of staff."