Apology after estate play equipment removed

Play equipment was removed due to safety concerns

A housing provider has apologised for "not speaking to the community" before starting work to replace equipment at a play area.

Residents in the Buttershaw area of Bradford raised concerns after workers began removing equipment at the play area on Strensall Green.

A spokesperson for Incommunities, a Shipley-based housing provider that runs the play area, said the equipment had been removed due to "safety concerns".

A date for replacement equipment has not yet been set.

"We would like to reassure the community that we understand how well-loved and used the park is, and we are planning to install new play equipment on the park soon," the spokesperson said.

"We also want to say sorry for not speaking to the community and our customers in the area first and telling them what was happening.

"The equipment was removed due to some safety concerns, following an inspection by a play safety specialist and due to age it would have been too costly to repair.

"We have taken the decision to replace it with new equipment and our teams are working on this as a priority."

Councillor Angela Tait said she was disappointed that local councillors like her were also not consulted.

"It is disappointing that they have taken it out just before the school holidays and there hasn't been a date to replace it announced yet," she said.

"I would have liked it they took it out with an expected date for new equipment to be installed."

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