More than a dozen swimmers were discovered on Friday in the nature pond at Hampstead Heath, cooling off among swans and prompting police intervention. The swimmers had seemingly ignored barbed wire and glaring signage erected by the City of London Corporation to protect wildlife. Hampstead Heath Constabulary and ParkGuard worked to bring them back to land, but many Londoners are desperate to cool off as the city's lack of free blue spaces forces them to break rules.
Free Access Lost Since Pandemic
Before Covid-19, the Hampstead Heath ponds were free with no booking required. Now, lidos have become oversubscribed, leaving little option for people desperate to escape the heat. Those in poorer areas suffer most in heatwaves due to limited access to green and blue spaces. On Collingwood Estate in Sutton, south London, residents reported 'cooking' and suffering heat exhaustion with temperatures reaching 30°C by 4am, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Mayor's Plan for Social Justice
The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, announced his 'Heat Ready London' plan to improve access to these spaces. He told Metro: 'It is not just an issue of the environment, but of social justice. In the 2022 heatwave, we saw 400 premature deaths, 4,000 going to A&E, extreme challenges to our public transport and big pressure on the fire service.'
Commercialisation of Public Spaces
The issue extends beyond heatwaves. Over New Year's, watching fireworks at iconic spots has become ticketed and commercialised. It was only 12 years ago, in 2014, when London's New Year's Eve firework display became ticketed for the first time. Popular free viewing spots such as Primrose Hill, Parliament Hill, St James's Park, Greenwich Park and Vauxhall Bridge now close before the main event begins.
City Corporation Warning
The City of London Corporation told The Standard: 'As well as our own Constabulary, we've put additional security and patrols in place across the Heath, particularly around the Lido and Model Boating Pond. Entering any other water body is extremely dangerous and risks both lives and wildlife. We want all visitors to enjoy their time on the Heath, and we're asking everyone to behave responsibly, and respect the space and those who care for it.'
