Pools shut as funds dry up

Swimming pools in London are closing down at the rate of one a year, figures reveal today.

Ten years ago London was home to 112 pools. Today there are 102.

A new campaign to save the city's lidos and pools was launched today with the support of Olympic swimmer Duncan Goodhew and former sports minister Kate Hoey.

But it comes too late for the Ladywell pool in Lewisham - the latest victim of the shortage of funding for community leisure spaces.

Despite a recent refurbishment, councillors announced that it is to be demolished to make way for a new secondary school. Liz Hughes is co-ordinator of the London Pools Campaign, which is organising events across the capital to raise awareness. She said: "People need local pools - they are important for both personal health and the health of the community.

"If you live in London and you want to take your family swimming, it shouldn't have to be a day-trip."

Two more London pools under threat of closure are Northolt's Swimarama and the Charlton Lido.

Ms Hughes said: "Northolt was built in the Sixties, and wasn't designed to last more than 20 years or so. It isn't a beautiful building, and it has a lot of problems, so Ealing council want to sell the land it stands on to cover a debt they have." There were once 37 lidos in London, most built in the Thirties and Forties. Today just 12 remain open.

Charlton Lido is an original art deco design which, due to lack of funding, is literally crumbling.

Ms Hughes added: "It is like something from a Thirties Hollywood film set, and is used for photo shoots all the time. But Greenwich council just don't have the money to invest in it.

"It is ironic that we are losing these facilities just as London makes its bid for the Olympics."

London currently has just two Olympic-sized swimming pools, compared to 16 in Paris.

Details at info@londonpoolscampaign.com.

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