‘Hampstead Heath belongs to the public, not to the City of London and as such should remain a free facility for all’

• UNDER the guise of Covid restrictions, the City of London is trying to charge entrance fees for the swimming ponds on Hampstead Heath.

These ponds were given to the public and have been free for more than 100 years. So what has changed now?

The ponds are not swimming pools. They are ponds, fed by free rain unlike pools the water does not have to be heated or cleaned.

The lifeguards are very good value for money but are not and never have been a reason for charging entry.

If you can charge for them, then it sets a precedence to charge for the 12 rangers who run the rest of the Heath.

Many millions use the Heath for walking, picnics, football, bird-watching, meeting friends – the list goes on.

If the city is allowed to charge for swimming in the ponds then where does this end? The ponds are great levellers, used by a huge variety of the wealthy, poor, old and young.

It seems wrong to single out a free, healthy activity such as outdoor swimming as a way of making money.

There is a case for charging for professional dog walkers as they are making money from a public space.

If the city is really pushed for cash perhaps the hot showers at the ponds could be charged for rather than an entry fee?

This is the second time the city has targeted the ponds. They tried and failed in 2003 to close them down as “dangerous” even though, since records began, the pond fatality figures are virtually nil.

If charging is allowed the ponds will become exclusive and the city will finally have succeeded in closing the ponds to many poorer members of the public.

It should be remembered that the Heath belongs to the public, not to the City of London and as such should remain a free facility for all.

MOLLY WILKINSON
Pond swimmer
Address supplied