FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE HMPA, KLPA & MPA
Swimmers’ groups at London’s historic Hampstead Ponds have
hit out at a proposed doubling of charges, saying they are unworkable and will
hit the vulnerable hardest.
The
groups say City of London has failed to listen to them and warn that
heavy-handed plans to enforce the proposed charges are likely to lead to chaos.
Following its review of management of the swimming ponds,
the City of London this week revealed recommendations that charges for adult day
tickets should double from £2 to £4 this summer, with payment to be enforced by
Heath Rangers.
Nicky
Mayhew, co-chair of the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond Association said: “Swimmers are
horrified by the threat of heavy-handed enforcement of payment, which would
destroy the ethos of these unique and incalculably precious places, as well as most
likely excluding those who cannot afford to pay or will be put off by
enforcement.”
“We have asked the City first to make it easy for people who
wish to pay to do so, and then to let us work with them to explore imaginative
and sensitive ways of reducing the gap between costs and revenue. At the
moment, they do not seem to be listening.”
Chris Piesold, chair of Highgate Men’s Pond Association
commented: “We are shocked that the City is attempting such a massive increase
in charges and change in culture. For years swimmers have complained that it is
hard and sometimes impossible to pay, and the City now seems intent on
punishing us for its own ineptitude at collecting money.”
If approved, the move would end the ‘self-policed’ payment
system that has existed since the City first introduced charging at the
swimming ponds in 2005. “There
is massive potential to increase the uptake of season and day tickets at
current prices if the City would just listen to us and sort out proper signage
and payment methods,” said Mayhew.
Earlier this month pond user groups conducted a survey of members which showed that an
overwhelming majority (75%) think the current charges are fair, but nearly 70%
say increased charges would affect their ability to swim.
Margaret
Dickinson of the Mixed Pond Association added, “Doubling admission charges will
be provocative, the City’s attempts to close the Mixed Pond at around the time
they first introduced charges in 2005 turned into a bitter battle that no one
would want to see repeated.”
Swimmers have called an emergency meeting later this week to
discuss their response to the proposals. At present 24% of members buy season tickets and
more than half of the rest pay to swim.
For
more information contact klpamailbox@gmail.com or call Nicky Mayhew on 07773 327392.
NOTES
TO EDITORS
Following its recent consultation with Hampstead Heath swimming groups, the City of London has identified five options for a ‘charging model’ to be implemented at the swimming ponds from 2 May 2020. These will be put forward to the meeting of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee on 9 March 2020 for discussion before the HHCC makes its recommendations to the Hampstead Heath Management Committee which meets on 11 March to decide on next steps. A summary of the City’s proposals can be found on the KLPA website: https://www.klpa.uk/news.
The City of London took over ownership and management of Hampstead
Heath and its swimming ponds in 1989 and introduced charges in 2005. Prior to
that swimming on the Heath – like roaming – had been free to all. Since then
charges have been paid on a ‘self-policed’ basis.
