I am an adult swimmer who has been displaced from my regular swimming routine due to the encroachment of after-school swimming lessons into the 4pm to 6pm window. This issue is not unique to me, but is prevalent across both municipal and private leisure centres in West Sussex, in particular Haywards Heath and Crawley - just this week Nuffield Health, Crawley has jumped on the band wagon with disastrous results. 

Despite swimming lessons being part of the school curriculum and conducted within school hours, pools are increasingly offering additional after-school activities. This practice unfairly restricts adults from accessing these facilities during those hours.

Since the onset of Covid-19 and subsequent lockdowns, timetables have changed without notice, leaving many adults barred from activities that are beneficial for their health at times that suit them best. In my case, I was given a mere four days' notice that my regular swimming schedule would be disrupted - a change which would have forced me to pay for a month's membership without being able to fully utilise it.

Swimming is not just a recreational activity; it is an essential part of maintaining good health and fitness for many people like myself. By staying fit through regular exercise such as swimming, we reduce our reliance on NHS services thus reducing the burden on taxpayers.

This petition calls for fair access to public and private pools during peak hours for all age groups. It's time we take a stand against this unfairness affecting adult swimmers. Please sign this petition if you believe in equal access to leisure amenities regardless of age.