Paddington Recreation Ground is home to one of the busiest and most relied-upon public tennis communities in West London. The proposal to convert existing tennis courts into padel courts is deeply concerning, not just personally but for the many players and coaches who depend on these courts. Court availability is already extremely limited due to high demand, and removing courts will significantly worsen access for a large, active user base.

These courts are not simply facilities; they support a well-established ecosystem of regular players, coaching professionals, and local residents who rely on them for recreation, income, and community connection. In an area already lacking sufficient public tennis provision, reducing capacity risks undermining both participation in sport and local livelihoods.

While the growth of padel is welcome, it should not come at the expense of existing, oversubscribed tennis infrastructure. Paddington Rec has space that could be explored for additional facilities without displacing current users. Expanding provision should mean increasing access overall, not redistributing it away from an already constrained group.

We urge Westminster to reconsider this proposal and engage with the local community to identify solutions that protect existing tennis courts while exploring opportunities for padel elsewhere within the park. A balanced approach would allow both sports to grow without disadvantaging a thriving and established tennis community.

Please support this petition to help ensure that Paddington Rec continues to serve the needs of its users and remains a vital, accessible sporting space for all.