Politicians dive into swimming row (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Politicians dive into swimming row

10:51am Thursday 12th June 2008 in News By Becky Hart

THE Government's decision to allow elderly people to swim for free has sparked a war of words between two politicians.

By the end of the year people aged 60 and over from across England will not have to pay to use public swimming pools after the Government invested £140 million into its healthy living project allowing the elderly to swim for free.

But it may not be easy for a lot of people living in the borough to benefit from this scheme as there is no swimming pool in Welwyn Garden City.

Residents will have to travel to Hertfordshire Sports Village or Hatfield Swim Centre to take advantage of the facilities.

But Welwyn Hatfield Labour parliamentary candidate Mike Hobday thinks he has the perfect solution to the problem.

He said: "It would be great if Welwyn Garden City had a pool. But in the meantime residents can get on the bus and go to Hatfield and use the one that is there.

"They are not excluded from it, there is no brick wall between Welwyn and Hatfield."

He added: "It's great news that the elderly and young people across the borough can have access to free swimming in Hatfield."

In response to Mr Hobday's comment, Liberal Democrat councillor Tony Skottowe, said his idea was "disgraceful".

He said: "This comment is totally unacceptable from a man of his position.

"Would he like to get on a bus with a bunch of kids?"

The Government hopes that by 2012 the idea will have ensured free swimming for everyone as part of the Legacy Action Plan - a pledge to maintain a good attitude to sport after the London Olympics.

The new scheme was put in place following a similar initiative launched in Wales three years ago.

The Welsh First Minister said that the scheme had been "tremendously successful undoubtedly helping counteract the couch potato culture"