Croydon has an appalling record with regard to the provision of affordable public swimming pools. In the mid to late 70s the Scarbrook Road baths were demolished and we were promised a new pool within 18 months; we're still waiting.

The very popular open air Purley Way Pool was scrapped due to the high cost of maintenance' (about £20,000 a year at the time if I remember correctly). This was actually replaced by the Water Palace but unfortunately it lacked any facilities for serious lap swimmers.

It was allowed to deteriorate to the extent that the site was sold off. Purley Pool is not without criticism - it is dirty, dilapidated and the pool temperature has a mind of its own, but at least it is affordable and it is local.

Purley has enough shops, it has trouble filling the ones it's got - what it lacks is a free parking facility for shoppers and swimmers. The free parking at Tesco has drawn people away from the main shopping area.

I would suggest, therefore, a overhaul of the Purley Pool site to include either a really good refurbishment or rebuild incorporating a 25m pool, a teaching pool, gym and further sports facilities in the Sainsbury's part, multi-storey car park with free shopping on two floors for shoppers and leisure centre users.

This new facility must be kept affordable to everyone to encourage the population to keep fit'.

SALLY WILKIN Kendall Avenue South Sanderstead