Villagers call for revamp of 'rickety' play area
Glyn Shepherd, Devon Burke and Bethany Heathcote said the play area needed upgrading
- Published
A group of villagers are calling for urgent improvements to be made to council-owned playground equipment.
The High Road play area in South Wingfield, behind the social club, was built in 1997 and is owned by Amber Valley Borough Council (AVBC).
Bethany Heathcote, a 37-year-old mother of two, is among those calling for the equipment, which she described as "dangerous and rickety", to be upgraded.
AVBC told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) money for repairs had been set aside but assessments have ruled the equipment has six years of use left in it.
Mum Devon Burke, 28, has lived in the village all her life and says the equipment is the same she played on as a child.
But she said a zip wire, baby swing and tyre spinner had all been removed over the years, as well as a fence which used to encircle the play area.
She said: "We don’t have a lot here. This is our hub and we have to drive for everything else."
A petition to redevelop the park was started earlier in August
Glyn Shepherd, 69, trustee at South Wingfield Social Club, said: “Equipment has just started to be taken away because it is easier to remove it than repair it.
"We worry that they might just come and take all of it."
A petition calling for the park to be redeveloped was started on 15 August and has attracted about 300 signatures.
The play area has seen better days said villagers
A spokesperson for AVBC said: "Every play area within the council’s remit undergoes an annual assessment by an external independent playground assessor.
“At the last inspection, the equipment at High Road play area was deemed to have approximately six years’ average life expectancy remaining.
“Funds have already been allocated to carry out improvements at High Road, but we would not be maximising its future life expectancy if those improvements were carried out while the existing equipment was still safe and functioning well.
“We nevertheless also carry out our own monthly assessments at the site, which would quickly flag up any unexpected deterioration in the equipment. The safety of all users remains our number-one priority."
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