THE cost of a new swimming pool in Taunton is being bumped up by almost £400,000 – because of the recovery.

The pool at Blackbrook Pavilion sports centre was originally costed at £5.353million, but a further £398,000 has now been added to the bill.

Taunton Deane Council is building the 25-metre pool and spa to replace the out of date St James Pool.

A report by the authority’s community leisure manager Alison North says that “contractors and the supply chain are able to increase their profit margins” because the market is picking up.

She added: “It is this ability to increase margins which is fuelling the current tender price inflation rather than rising input costs, which are relatively subdued.”

BAM pointed out that its profits for the scheme were capped because it is being tendered under the Construction Framework South West, which fixes the amount contractors can charge.