Wallasey Labour Party

Lib Dems join forces with Tories to end free swimming

13th July 2010

Lib Dems Councillors joined forces with the Tories last night to deliver a blow to the campaign to keep swimming free on Wirral.

Swimming has been free on Wirral since March 2009 for the Under 16s and Over 60s as part of a bid to get 2 million people more active more often. Wirral's free swimming scheme is one of the most used in the country with nearly 50,000 free swims taken up in the first three months. Cllr Darren Dodd launched the Keep Swimming Free campaign two weeks ago with an online petition and Facebook Group.

Cllr Dodd proposed a motion at last nights full Council meeting urging councillors to show their support for free swimming. This was voted against by both the Tories and Lib Dems who instead wanted to 'congratulate the Cabinet for taking swift action to assure the people of Wirral that free swimming has been saved' before admitting that it will be scrapped in a few weeks time.

Speaking after the meeting Darren Dodd said "I am extremely disappointed that the Lib Dems are joining forces with the Tories to cut free swimming for thousands of regular swimmers in Wirral. The Tories have delayed making a decision about the future of free swimming until September 3rd - the Lib Dems must be kidding themselves if they think that this is swift and reassuring. I will keep up the pressure on the ConDems between now and September.'

If you would like to show your support for free swimming please sign the petition at http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-free-swimming-in-wirral.html