Residents fear child may be injured at playground

Residents fear child may be injured at playground

4 April 2012 - by David Telford

RESIDENTS at the Seaview estate in Ardglass have appealed to Down Council to address safety concerns at a children’s play area.

A large gap has appeared in the joints of protective matting laid on the floor of the playground, with parents concerned that a child’s foot could get caught in it.

Parents have also called for a planned upgrade of the playground to be brought forward so improvement work is completed before the start of the school summer holidays.

Resident Mrs. Anne Murphy said there is a lot of concern about the condition of the playground safety matting and fears if it isn’t repaired, it’s only a matter of time before a child is injured.

She’s also urging the local council to upgrade football posts and provide new nets at a kickabout area which is adjacent to the playground.

“There is not a lot for children who live at the Seaview estate to do and parents are keen for repairs to the playground to start soon and for some additional equipment to be provided,” said Mrs. Murphy.

“There has been a lack of maintenance at the playground in recent years and we all want to see it upgraded as soon as possible.”

Mrs. Murphy said with the summer holidays on the horizon, she hopes Down Council can find the money to provide new play equipment and upgrade the kickabout area.

Council chairman Dermot Curran visited Seaview this week and is backing calls for the safety matting to be repaired and the playground equipment upgraded.

“I was concerned when the state of the safety matting was pointed out to me and this has subsequently been inspected by a senior council official,” he explained.

“The gap in the safety matting is several inches wide in some places and if a child’s foot got stuck in it, a nasty injury could be sustained. That’s why repairs must be carried out quickly.”

Councillor Curran said he has been in contact with the local authority’s Building Control and Estates Department which has agreed to investigate residents’ concerns.

He added: “These is a clear need for urgent action at Seaview and I know council officials will respond positively.

“In the first instance, the safety matting must be repaired along with the provision of new football posts and nets. Serious consideration must also be given to advancing the proposed upgrade of the Seaview playground.”