City backtracks on pool change room rules for kids

The City of London is pulling back from a policy that would have forced four-year-olds to change alone at city pools if their parents were of the opposite gender.

A sign posted at one London pool that said "children over the age of 3are not permitted in the opposite sex change room"caused an uproar on social media this weekend.

"The signs are going to be taken down," saidCoun. MoSalih, who saw the outrage onFacebookand Twitter and spoke to city staff about the new signs Monday.

"This was not a city policy, so it will not be enforced. This is the first time I've ever heard about this."

Salih said the City of London will continue to allow kids 12 and under in opposite-sex pool change rooms.

City staff had heard from adults uncomfortable with children looking at them while they changed and put up the new signs,Salihsaid.

The City of London parks and recreation does have a bylaw that states that children 12 and under can go into an opposite-sex change room if accompanied by a parent, guardian, caregiver or caretaker.

That bylaw supercedes the signs put up by staff, Salih said.

City staff will report to the Community and Protective Services Committee later this year about what concerns led staff to put up the signs.