Access to swimming

Sir, I am not surprised by the survey which showed that 100,000 children leave primary school each year without mastering basic swimming skills (Times Educational Supplement, August 1). All over the country pools have been closed because of financial pressures on local authorities.

My local pool in London’s Soho, Marshall Street, has been closed for the past six years waiting for refurbishment. Its closure has not only affected local residents, disabled groups and local workers but also three neighbourhood primary schools. These schools are having to travel further to teach swimming and consequently are having to cut down on how many children can participate and how often they can have lessons.

Swimming is one of the most popular forms of exercise in Britain and to deprive children of swimming lessons is a further step towards a country of overweight couch potatoes.