Free Swimming In Ely To End

14 July 2010, 06:00

Young people will have to pay to use East Cambridgeshire's swimming pools from August.

It means normal charges will apply at the Paradise Pool in Ely and Bottisham Swimming Pool.

Spending cuts mean the sessions will no longer be subsidised by the Government, and East Cambridgeshire District Council says it cant afford to pay for them.

Swimming sessions for people over 60 years old will also be stopped.

The Government claims research shows the majority of people using the free swimming service were already swimmers, and would pay to swim anyway.

Councillor 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."