I am writing to protest at the suggested closure of Yearsley Swimming Pool. Although Yearsley may be in need of renovation, it is the only pool within walking distance of the Clifton, Bell Farm and Gillygate/Clarence Street areas.

Being a single mother with a young disabled son (Ethan, who has cerebral palsy), I am somewhat limited, as there are many activities which he can not take part in.

We have no car, and trying to get a pushchair on to most of the buses in York is farce.

So Yearsley is a godsend. It is only a 20-minute walk from where we live, it acts as excellent physiotherapy for Ethan, and, once he's in the pool, he's just like any other child there.

We could walk to the Barbican pool, but that would take at least twice the time it takes to get to Yearsley - and the pools there are busier, and therefore not half as suitable for Ethan.

Once a week, a woman from the Crossroads charity sits with Ethan for two hours while I have a break. Usually I go to Yearsley for a swim.

How would I manage to get to the Barbican and back within this time? The answer is, I simply would not.

S Hepworth,

Water Lane,

Clifton, York.

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