Swimmers furious as over 1,200 pools shut down across England

More than 1,200 swimming pools have shut down in England - raising fears that children will grow up not learning how to swim.

The country has been stripped of 1,288 pools since 2009, swim chiefs have revealed. And despite the nation’s Olympic and Paralympic successes, more than one in three children are leaving primary school unable to swim a length.

Swim England warns that 75 per cent of councils face a swimming pool shortage by 2030.

Olympic legend Sharron Davies, who has competed or broadcast for the BBC in 13 consecutive Games, said: “If we are to nurture the next Adam Peaty, Tom Daley, or Isabelle Thorpe we must have enough water space across the country.

“Sadly, many councils closed pools during Covid and did not maintain them – then they said they were too expensive to open.

“Almost half of kids aren’t learning to swim their 25m by age 11 either.

“I very much want to lobby government to make leisure facilities mandated and affordable so we can work on prevention rather than cure and save the NHS a lot of money they don’t have too.

“Swimming is a life skill and a sport for all ages and abilities from cradle to grave.”

Data from Swim England shows that the loss of swimming water space from pool closures is more than 30,000m2.

Almost two public pools shut down every month last year because councils did not have cash to keep them going.

In the Herts market town of Buntingford, council bosses have shut down its local pool after admitting it is unable to afford vital repairs.

Residents in the town now face a 20-mile round trip to the nearest public pool, including Chris Saynor, 49, and his four children, aged 13 to 19.

Chris, who runs Bethnal&Bec Luxury Stays [please keep if at all poss], said: “The pool is next to two schools and all the kids’ swimming lessons were held there. All of the 2,000 kids in the town have had their school swimming lessons cancelled. The nearest alternative pool is 10 miles away, and there are only a few buses each day.”

Swimmers in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, also saw their pool close despite a series of protests.

Tameside Council plans to knock down the Ashton Swimming Pool because operator Active Tameside could not afford to run it and the authority has no funding to carry out maintenance. The nearest swimming pool is in neighbouring Hyde, four miles away.

And Kimberley Leisure Centre, in Notts, closed in March after the council said it could “no longer commit” to the cost..

The country’s pools are getting older and many are reaching, or past their lifespan. More than 1,500 pools currently in use are over 40 years of age. Swim England is calling for long-term capital investment from the Government, into the renewal of public pools and leisure centre infrastructure.

Chief executive Andy Salmon said: “The country has been inspired by the fantastic performances of our divers, artistic swimmers and swimmers at the Olympics and Paralympics, but it’s a fact that more and more people are struggling to access pools local to them.

“It’s vitally important that everyone has access to pool space so they can lead healthier, happier lives and learn a skill that could one day save their life or that of someone close to them.

“Without adequate investment into the new pools this country needs, there will be a huge decline in available water space. That could not only threaten the future of our sports but also leave millions of people shut out of activities they love.”