Vandalism fears halt plans for West Auckland play park makeover

NEW equipment won’t be installed at a village play area due the risk of vandalism.
Potential improvements were proposed near to Oakley Cross Primary School, in West Auckland when the parish council discused the idea in October. It was suggested that outdoor fitness equipment, which would appeal to older people, would be one way of increasing the appeal of the site to villagers.
Last week parish chairwoman Cllr Hazel Charlton said: “The county council has taken away the zip wire so all we have now is the area where the play equipment is for the younger children.
“There are a lot of fitness things going on at the moment and this is about getting some equipment outside that people could use to improve their health.”
However, having researched the type of equipment and due to recent vandalism in the village, the majority of councillors voted against the proposal. Cllr George Smith said: “Anything to do with health I think is a good idea but it is the amount of vandalism going on. I think it might be a bad idea and a waste of money to be honest.”
Cllr Billy Robinson said: “The equipment is really solid equipment. It is just a concern with the damage we have had to the Christmas tree. The fence was broken up last week. We had to take the lights off the day after.
“When I went through to Shildon to see their equipment, it is caged in to stop vandalism because obviously that is what is going to happen straight away.
“The other thing is health and safety. At the gym you have to be instructed.
“Who is going to show people how to use it? As much as I would like to see something, it is just not feasible.”
Alternatively, a suggestion was made about the possibility of creating a five-a-side football pitch on the site.
Cllr Lynn Rielly said: “We don’t have a five-a-side where the kids can just go out and play. I would rather us put lights up there so you can see.
“They get up to all sorts in the dark. Most people walk down the bypass or go to the gym. I don’t think they will bother with all that. It gives kids more things to pull to bits. We can’t give up because at the end of the day we will have nothing.”
Cllr Valerie Raine added: “If they had something to do they might not be vandalising.”
Cllr Charlton said: “The decision from the parish council is not to put any extra play equipment up.”
Councillors agreed to look into the idea of creating a new football pitch ahead of next month’s meeting.
Councillors will contact Durham County Council asking them to remove the zip wire posts which they say are now a hazard.