Ponds are saved but swimmers must pay

Hampstead ponds are to be saved from closure under new plans being drafted by the Corporation of London.

The City is set to drop the idea of closing the historic bathing pools on Hampstead Heath, after a wave of protests from MPs, stars, High Court judges and swimmers.

But in an attempt to save money, those who want to continue to use the ponds on will have to pay an entry fee for the first time.

Under the plans, the charging regime will be introduced this summer for a trial period with the expectation that it will become permanent.

Charges will kept low thanks, in part, to a new endowment from a wealthy local backer.

The three ponds, one for mixed bathing, one for men and one for women, were built in the 17th century as reservoirs but have been used for swimming since the 1860s.

Local residents Melvyn Bragg, Michael Palin and former Labour leader Michael Foot have all lobbied against closure and MPs Glenda Jackson, Frank Dobson and Jeremy Corbyn all called on the Government to step in. But the annual ?500,000 lifeguard bill, and the City's budget problems, forced it to raise the idea of closure.

Mayor Ken Livingstone last week infuriated the corporation when he threatened to take over the 800-acre heath if the problem could not be sorted out.

A final decision is due next month after consultation with local people, but it is now clear that the most likely option is an entry fee of around ?2.

"It was only ever an option to close the ponds, but given all the aggro we've received it is now no longer an option," a senior Corporation source told the Standard.

Although the Corporation spends ?5million on the heath every year, rising staff costs and falling income from property have left it with a budget deficit of ?400,000.

Some funds from its other open spaces such as Epping Forest and Wanstead Park have been diverted to plug the gap, but a long-term solution is needed. "We plan to trial charging from this summer instead," the source said.

More than 200,000 people a year come from all over London to use the ponds, and about 200 people swim regularly throughout the winter.

Swimmers claim there is nowhere else in Britain quite like it, and the women's pond is one of the few places in London where they can sunbathe in the open air without harassment.

The ladies' pond was once used by film stars such as Katharine Hepburn. The Corporation is already facing a judicial review from a High Court judge, himself a regular bather, over plans to restrict opening hours.

At present, early-morning swimmers take a dip without lifeguards present, but the practice may be ended on health and safety grounds.

The decision to save the ponds from closure was taken within hours of a Commons motion urging ministers to intervene.

Tabled by Hampstead and Highgate MP Ms Jackson, it says it would have deprived London of "this passionately valued, much used and irreplaceable facility."