Rusty, mouldy play park criticised as health and safety risk (From The Advertiser Series)

Rusty, mouldy play park criticised as health and safety risk

1:24pm Tuesday 25th September 2012 in News By Vicki Henderson, Darlington reporter

A COUNCILLOR has called for urgent work to be done on an overgrown play park which he says is becoming a serious health and safety issue.

Councillor Brian Jones, ward member for Sadberge and Whessoe, has accused Darlington Borough Council of neglecting the upkeep of more remote areas of the borough, in particular the small council-owned play area in Sadberge.

Coun Jones said he has spent years trying to get the authority to replace rusted and mouldy play equipment, cut the grass and hedges and sort out drainage problems that often leave the site inaccessible.

Darlington Borough Council has acknowledged the problems at the play park and has pledged to clean up the park.

Coun Jones said: “We have severe health and safety concerns about the rusty equipment and the mould that has grown over parts of it.

“The whole site is overgrown and has been for years. It’s a council-owned play park and they are meant to maintain it and cut the grass and keep the weeds down.

“The play equipment should be usable and safe - I was told some time ago that they were going to take out what is there and replace it with something better but that has yet to happen.

“Money was spent a few years ago to open up access to the site because previously they couldn’t get grass cutters there, but it’s still not happening.”

Coun Jones said the play park is forgotten by the council because it is in a remote area.

He added: “It’s a small play area and I don’t think the upkeep and the maintenance would cost that much and the cost of doing it up would be minimal but something is getting missed and I don’t know why.”

A spokeswoman for Darlington Borough Council said: "We are now aware that we need to pay attention to the Sadberge play area.

“As soon as the weather permits, it will be our priority to clean up the play equipment, cut the grass and sort any overgrown areas to make sure children can enjoy playing there and being active outdoors."