Vandals put paid to play area tower fun (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Vandals put paid to play area tower fun

BOURTON Parish Council has carried out its threat to demolish a children's play tower due to the actions of vandals.

The multi-activity tower at the Melville play area has been targeted by youths twice in the last year, on both occasions being left unsafe for children.

In the most recent attack, which would cost £700 to put right, wooden side panels were removed, creating the danger that youngsters could fall off the eight-foot platform.

Parish clerk John Nicholson said members had been reluctant to take the decision. "It was a matter of public safety more than anything. Councillors decided that perhaps the equipment is not ideal for that situation and they decided to stop ploughing good money in after bad.

"In the course of time we hope to be able to replace it with something more suitable and robust."

At the parish council meeting last Wednesday, members agreed to spend £900 digging up the fence, the tower and its concrete base, before filling in the hole.

Mr Nicholson said that situation with the village's other play areas was more positive. "We have just repaired the see-saw at the Naight, at considerable expense. The council is now looking to install a new safety surface over the whole area, if our funding allows."

He added that the roundabout at the Naight would also be receiving attention as part of an overall review of the play areas in the village. "Our play equipment is going to be an ongoing project for the foreseeable future. The removal of the Melville tower is just the fly in the ointment," he said.