Safety review pleged for village "Rec"

The pledge comes from Rother leader Cllr Carl Maynard in response to points raised via his Ask The Leader slot on the council's www.rother.gov.uk website.

But though the questioner is critical of increased use being made of the ground, the leader has welcomed it.

The questioner wrote: "I live in a row of houses backing on to Little Common Recreation Ground.

"Since the new pavilion was built around six years ago the amount of use has massively increased.

"The car park cannot accommodate the volume of traffic and on event days traffic parks out on Peartree Lane causing extremely dangerous conditions. Previously the road was coned off by the police but this has not happened for at least the last two years.

"I have advised officers at the Beeching Road offices many times that when an event is held few safety measures are in place. Although instructions to the lessees of the building regarding safety were issued, it is rare that all of these are followed.

"Last week there were no parking marshals so the cars using the car park were all jostling for position. Today a gate to the children's playground which should be locked off when the gate to the field/overflow car park is open was left unlocked all day. This means that at any time a child could run from the playground into the path of a car.

"Do we really need to have a serious accident here before someone pays attention? This area is now completely over-used and under-monitored. Anyone wishing to walk across the park with their children or dog cannot get anywhere near from around 4.30pm most week days or over the weekend.

"What is the position regarding risk assessments for these events? I seriously doubt there are any. If there were then I suspect that some of these events would be managed in a very different way.

"I think the time has come to review the situation fully, to consider further parking facilities and most importantly adequate and enforceable safety measures. Lets face it, its got to be better to prevent a death than discuss it afterwards."

The leader said; "The council has invested heavily in Little Common recreation ground in recent years. The new sports pavilion constructed in partnership with Sport England and the Lottery Board was a significant investment for this council and so the increase in use of this pavilion, sports field and associated sports development is welcomed by the council and Sport England.

"In meeting the conditions of the lottery grant, the football club has worked hard to create events which promote football and sports development.

"In managing these events there has been some concern expressed to the club relating to the use of the car park and the sports field. We have agreed a procedure with the clubs for the management of such events and your report that these are not being fully adopted is disappointing. Of most concern is the safety of children legitimately using the play area during these events.

"In light of your comments we will review these arrangements and liaise more closely with the football club on the implementation of the arrangements. Included within our review will be the possible relocation of the pedestrian access gates into the play area.

"I have noted your comments regarding the need for additional car parking within the recreation ground, but this is not easily achieved as the pitch boundaries for both cricket and football do not leave sufficient space for an increase in car parking."