• IT is grossly unfair and pointless for the City of London to attempt to make up for its own chronic underinvestment – its current machines and systems for accepting voluntary payments rarely work, and the city’s net spend on the Heath dropped by 36 per cent in 10 years – by seeking to double charge for accessing the ponds, and enforcing their collection, (Confirmed: Compulsory charges WILL be introduced at Hampstead Heath swimming ponds, March 13).

First, the City of London is not a cash-strapped local authority. With net assets of £2.7billion and a surplus for the year of £59.7million in 2019 it has no need to raise funds from individual swimmers.

Secondly, the ponds are not a privately-owned sports facility. They are a protected part of London’s environment that the corporation manages. What is next, the playgrounds? The grass?

Thirdly, trying to enforce payment can only create conflict where currently there is none. It would put undue pressure on Heath staff.

In a world of constant online surveillance, the great value of the ponds is that they connect us to nature and are open to all, and all are equal there.

They are a special, treasured, space for multiple communities and the fact they’re more popular than ever reflects that.

Trying to exploit the popularity will bring no benefits and must be opposed.

The city’s attitude epitomises the danger of a society that knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing.

TIM SOWULA
Address supplied