East Cambridgeshire District Council

Free swimming sessions for people aged under 16 and over 60 in East Cambridgeshire are to end.

From August, normal charges will apply at the Paradise Pool in Ely and Bottisham Swimming Pool.

The Government announced it was to stop funding this activity due to the current financial situation and research which they claimed showed the majority of free swimmers were swimming already and would have paid to swim anyway.

Cllr Peter Cresswell,Chairman of the Community Services Committee, at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: "It is with genuine regret that we will no longer be able to offer this scheme to members of the public. Unfortunately with the withdrawal of the Government support to this project, the District Council simply cannot afford to fund the gap.

"Since the beginning of the initiative, many people have benefitted from free swims taken between the two swimming pools. I hope the end of the scheme will not prevent anybody from continuing with the sport which is such a good way of keeping fit. Residents can still take advantage of activities such as Mature & Active and the Mobile Play Scheme run by the District Council designed to keep people healthy."

ENDS

Notes for editors:

Political contacts: Cllr Peter Cresswell (Con) 01638 661138, Cllr Pauline Wilson (Lib Dem) 01353 740617 and Cllr Derrick Beckett (Ind) 01638 780476.

For further information contact Tony Taylorson in the Communications Team on 01223 699285.