Over-50s can go swimming for £1 in Telford
Over-50s in Telford will be able to use council swimming pools for £1.
The discount scheme – which currently applies for Telford Loyalty Card holders aged 60 and above – has been extended and the changes will take effect from April 1.
The announcement was made by Councillor Liz Clare, Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet member for leisure services and culture, at the council's cabinet meeting last night.
It comes after the council scrapped its free swimming for over-50s in the borough last year. More than 3,000 over-50s had taken advantage of the free swimming offer at pools in Wellington, Oakengates, Newport and Abraham Darby Academy in 2015 alone.
At last night's meeting, Councillor Bill Tomlinson raised the issue of the cancellation of the free swimming scheme. He said it had greatly encouraged people to use the pool and fit with the council's plans to help keep the over-50s living healthier, longer lives.
Referring to the decision to scrap the free swimming scheme, Councillor Clare said: "It was brave to offer the swimming for free in the first place and sometimes I wonder whether we should have done it.
"It brings a real benefit. The letters are about to be sent out to say that we will now be offering £1 swimming to the over 50s with a TLC card."
