Bath Spa in pictures

1 of 19 Work to reopen the thermal spas at Bath - closed to the public since 1978 - has been underway since 2000

2 of 19 But the project is now three years overdue - and three times over its original budget

3 of 19 The 'feature wall' which will greet visitors in the lobby is complete - but has to be protected against the work going on around the rest of the building

4 of 19 The main pool has been plagued by problems with peeling paint and leaks in the waterproof layer beneath the stone floor

5 of 19 The long-running row over paint finishes in the pool - which went all the way to the High Court - has now been resolved

6 of 19 But cracks have been discovered in the waterproof course and the screed layer which allow water to seep through to floors below

7 of 19 The design, by architects Grimshaws, blends old stonework with modern glass and steel

8 of 19 But there are still too many unwanted additions, like these plastic barriers, which hint at months of work still to be done before the spa can open its doors

9 of 19 The space-age steam room was completed a year ago...

10 of 19 ...until problems with the floor and paintwork were discovered - work to repair them is ongoing

11 of 19 And until it is completed, the steam room benches are left outside, wrapped up against the elements

12 of 19 Mowlem - under project manager Mike Ward - wants to take over the design and build of the complex

13 of 19 The company says that for a fixed fee of £26m it can have the complex open within six months

14 of 19 Bath and North East Somerset Council says the issues are complex and that it needs time to consider the proposals

15 of 19 Meanwhile the people of Bath - who are helping to fund the £35m spa with their council tax - are becoming increasingly angry with the scheme

16 of 19 In August 2003 the Three Tenors admired the spa's rooftop pool - now it looks like a building site

17 of 19 Local MPs Dan Norris and Don Foster were joined by construction minister Nigel Griffiths on a visit to the spa

18 of 19 Mr Griffiths called the council 'incompetent', blaming them for not making firm decisions about the project

19 of 19 But will any of the politicians be able to convince the council to throw the project a lifeline?