Hopes for gate at 'inaccessible' play park fence

The fence at Thorntree Park sparked opposition from the community

A gate could be installed in a playing field fence which has sparked a row about accessibility.

Cargo Fleet Football Club put up the locked fence around the Thorntree Park playing fields and pavilion in Middlesbrough in April, saying it was a "necessity" to ensure the safety of children playing football.

It meant locals were no longer able to walk their dogs across the football pitch or reach Spencer Beck, which is at the far end of the field.

Middlesbrough Council said it had worked with the club to design and source an "appropriate gate to allow residents on to the site" and hoped it would be installed soon.

The club, also known as Cargo Fleet Juniors, has used the field under a lease agreement with the Labour-led council since 2012.

A club spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) it had endured 13 years of anti-social behaviour before the fence was erected.

They gave examples of "motorbikes, dog fouling, people not walking their dogs on leads and subsequently children being bitten whilst playing football, [and] needles on the playing field putting children at significant risk".

The football club said anti-social behaviour had lessened since the fence was put up in April

However, the fence sparked an "Access for All" petition, which said residents had been "denied access to a field which is in fact a public area".

While the play park and other non-playing field spaces have remained freely accessible, residents told the LDRS they felt "excluded" from the field.

The football club said it had seen a decrease in anti-social behaviour, which had included trees being set fire along the beck walk, since the fence was installed.

The spokesperson said the club was raising funds for "anti-cycle barrier" which cost about £3,000.

"As we are a non-profit organisation this is not something we can do immediately," they said.

A council spokesman said: "The council has worked with the football club to design and source an appropriate gate to allow residents on to the site."

"The gate is needed to protect children playing at the club by stopping unauthorised motorcycles gaining access and causing significant damage," they added.

"We are in contact with the tenant and it's hoped it will be installed soon."