The Hampstead Ponds debacle seems to have reached some kind of conclusion with the announcement that Hampstead Heath Management Committee is to introduce a fee of £2 a day to use the pools.
The Corporation of London insists that it costs half a million pounds a year to maintain the ponds and employ two, full-time, lifeguards to protect swimmers. But regular visitors to the ponds are arguing that there is "a long tradition of free swimming" which needs to be maintained.
Londonist suggests that the Corporation use the new money to introduce a number of extra features to the ponds. A few wave machines maybe, that's bound to please the locals. And what about a slide, they're always fun.
