Hughes Welcomes Pools for Schools summer-camp on the South Bank

3.13.04pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 4th Aug 2009

Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat MP for North Southwark and Bermondsey and joint chair of the North Lambeth and North Southwark Sports Action Zone today welcomed the opening of the summer camp on the South Bank to increase swimming success in South London.

Simon Hughes joined the Mayor of London, Kate Hoey the MP for Vauxhall and Britain's double Olympic gold medal winner Rebecca Adlington on Gabriel's Wharf this morning for the launch.

Simon said:

'For several years, with Kate Hoey, I have been working to increase provision for swimming and swimming coaching in Southwark and South London. The Sports Action Zone has already brought temporary pool to the Lilian Baylis Old School site in Vauxhall earlier this year and I have asked Southwark Council to consider extending the scheme to popular open spaces like Burgess Park and Southwark Park.

'Following the closure of one of the local swimming clubs in Southwark a couple of years ago, I was pleased to be involved in setting up with the Amateurs Swimming Association (ASA) a new system for coaching swimming across the borough.'

'I have been chasing hard Downside Fisher Club and Training For Life for them to reopen the pool in their youth club near Tower Bridge. And I have been working hard to make sure that the plans for a new swimming pool at Waterloo and for an improved leisure centre in Rotherhithe move forward as quickly as possible.'

'I also hope that we can have a lido once again in or near Southwark Park.'

'Not just in the summer but all the year round swimming is a really valuable and important activity for young people and adults alike. We need much more provision for swimming in South London and I will continue to work with all concerned to increase the opportunities for people to swim.'