Content

To approve the removal of play
equipment that has been out of use due to vandalism for the past 18
months (and many times previously due to vandalism) with
remediation of the space back to grass.
 
Decision
To remove the Station Road play
area and remediate the space back to grass at a cost in the region
of £15k, due to consistent vandalism and the high cost of
maintaining the play area.
 

Reasons for the decision

This play area has suffered
consistent vandalism since opening. Maintenance of the equipment
and particularly the safety surfacing is expensive and repairs and
reopening then result in further vandalism and closure pending more
maintenance work.
 
As this play area is a few
hundred metres from the larger play area on Manor Field, closure
and removal of this currently closed facility will not impact on
community access to play areas and will reduce wasting public funds
on an area that will continue to be vandalised.

Alternative options considered

1.   
Fix the currently vandalised play surface at a cost
of approximately £25,000 - £30,000
2.   
Add CCTV to the current area at a cost of a further
£20,000 (due to power requirements)