Safety fears over new play park equipment

They feel they were not informed of the council plan for new equipment - including a sheltered seating area and zip wire, and reckon as near-neighbours they should have been consulted more fully.

They claim the zip wire, which runs along one side of the play park, is not safe and fear there will be increased noise in the area as well as groups of youths hanging around.

Ian Lawrence, of Lullington Close, said: "None of the residents knew about this. None of them were aware of it - and none of them are happy.

"I have found out the only apparent consultation was addressed to young people of 10 to 16 years of age, and there has been information sent out to residents.

"I have spoken to some but no-one knew about the council plans. I have also yet to find anyone who is happy about them."

He is concerned about the zip wire which has no safety fencing and commented: "I have a young daughter. I would not want her to be there...It would be like crossing the road the whole time."

He described the structure of it as 'hardly in keeping with the surrounding park land', and added: "There has been no consideration of the noise a zip wire makes, especially in the summer.

"Also the council has decided to install a sheltered seating area for older kids in the darkest corner of a poorly-lit park.

"This is an area where there is already a problem of gangs forming and intimidating others, especially the elderly.

"The whole park suffers from a dog dirt problem and the council's answer was to put up signs, but they do not enforce these."

Another resident said he had never seen the flyer put out by Rother District Council which was said to inform people in the area of plans for the recreation ground.

He said: "We feel a bit hoodwinked and that the council has not been as open as it could have been."

He questioned whether the value of property next to the park would be affected and whether the council would compensate for this.

Cllr Charles Clark, St Michael's Ward member for Rother District Council, said: "The new play park equipment for children is a direct result of consultation the council had with residents.

"In my own resident surveys a number of responses have asked for more facilities for young people - so that is what we are providing and the majority of people support it."

Head of amenities Madeleine Gorman said: "The installation of play equipment for older children follows a period of consultation and planning undertaken last year.

"Parents, children and young people in Pebsham were involved in a number of ways including an on-line survey and a 'go and see' day which enabled a group of children to try out different play equipment.

"All residents were invited to an open event at Pebsham Community Association in September and were offered the chance to comment. The scheme received strong support on the day and this was covered in an article in the Bexhill Observer.

"The recreation ground is an area of public open space and children and young people have an equal right to enjoy it."