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| NEWS | By SUNITA RAPPAI |
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Plan B for Heath money saving plan ruled impracticable INTRODUCING charges for the historic Heath ponds would be a logistical nightmare and financially unviable, according to the Corporation of London’s own report published earlier his year. The Corporation, guardians of the 900-acre Heath, are in the firing line over sweeping proposals to reduce costs on the heath – including possible closure of the Men’s, Ladies’ and Mixed Ponds which they have called an unsustainable drain on the £5.5 million budget. According to latest reports, under-fire bosses have now abandoned plans to close the pond after a storm of protest from users – but, in an astonishing about-face, are considering introducing a trial charge of £2 for the ponds starting next summer. A Corporation spokesman refused to confirm or deny the rumours, saying that the wealthy local authority is continuing to explore all options until a final decision is made in February. But insiders fear that a charge is likely – and are already mustering support for a renewed campaign against the proposals, supported by the New Journal which has called for the ponds to be kept open and free. Heath bosses have admitted that, despite spending thousands of pounds on a consultant’s report to review fees and charges for the Heath, they still have no accurate figures on the number of people who use each pond. According to their own report in November which outlined a range of measures to reduce costs on the Heath: “It is extremely difficult to assess the feasibility of introducing a charging system (for the ponds) and to predict what the net financial effect would be.” A charge of £1.90 per swim according to current usage figures would bring in an estimated £66,000 a year – but collecting the money would cost the Corporation an estimated £90,000. In addition, Heath bosses would have to fork out a further £30,000 to install money-collecting kiosks at each pond. According to the original report, introducing a charge would also have serious health and safety repercussions. It says: “Due to the natural pond environment and low perimeter fencing there also remains the concern about the public entering the ponds at other points, charging is likely to exacerbate this problem and enforcement will be difficult.” Swimmers’ groups have vowed to continue their fight against any closure of the ponds – and insist that they should remain free. And a member of staff at the ponds, who did not want to be named, said: “It will be hard to make work. The logistics of it will be an enormous headache – we’ll have to work something out, but I’ll like to see how.” Heath bosses have called a public meeting to discuss the proposals on January 10 at Hampstead Town Hall. |
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