Following The Journal’s story at Haydon play park, another group of community representatives have vowed this week to fight Lib-Dem plans to remove the children’s play equipment from Hillside in Midsomer Norton.

The new B&NES Administration, which says it has carried out a “comprehensive review” of all its play spaces, say there is duplication in the provision of ten formal play areas across the Authority – one of which is at Hillside Crescent in Midsomer Norton. Local Councillors from opposition parties have been in touch with The Journal to say that they were unaware of these plans.

Local residents feel B&NES Council has missed three points. Many of the houses on the Hillside estate do not have their own gardens, and so access to a park on the estate is really important to families with young children. Secondly, the only other play area nearby is next to the main road to Chilcompton, presenting not only a danger of traffic to children, but also more air pollution – quite apart from the practicalities of trailing children back and forth as there are no toilet facilities. Residents are also angry that, despite all of the talk of tackling issues of obesity and getting children playing and exercising outside, the Council is removing the very facilities that are needed to achieve it.

Cllr Chris Watt, Midsomer Norton Redfield said: “It has been a key concern of ours, the way in which this this review is being done; no discussion with us as Councillors and just a few A4 posters – they don’t even look like proper notices. As Local Ward Councillors, Paul Myers and I have written to local residents in order to make sure everyone is aware of the threat to the Hillside Play Area and to encourage as many people as possible to give their views.”

A consultation event is being held this Friday, 20th September between 3.30 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the play area in Hillside Crescent or by emailing: [email protected]

The play park at Manor Copse, Writhlington, had a consultation held there on Wednesday this week between 3.30 p.m. and 5 p.m.

On Monday evening, Radstock Town Council discussed ways that it could step in to help save the equipment at the play park at Collier’s Way, Haydon. Various options are being investigated to see if this is possible.