Children’s playground equipment in a Kenton park that poses a “clear and immediate risk” to anyone using it was left accessible despite multiple requests to fix it.
Brent Council has been accused of “failing to act” on safety concerns relating to the equipment at the children’s play area in Woodcock Park, Kenton. A ward councillor has claimed that the issue has been raised repeatedly by residents but so far nothing has been done – until the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) got involved.
Images appear to show pieces of sharp metal protruding from some of the hand rails, as well as exposed and damaged metal wire roping.
Kenton Councillor, Sunita Hirani, says unless fixed the “obvious structural issues” could lead to serious injury. While it has now been “closed off” by the council following enquiries by the LDRS, the councillor said her concerns were not taken seriously.
Cllr Hirani said: “I am appalled at Brent Council’s total disregard for children’s safety at Woodcock Park in my Kenton ward. Despite repeated concerns raised by residents and my own formal representations, the council has failed to take urgent action to remove a severely damaged and dangerous play unit in the children’s playground.”
She added: “Having personally inspected the equipment, I can confirm it poses a clear and immediate risk to any child who attempts to use it. It is shocking that this play unit [remained] accessible to children despite obvious structural issues that could lead to serious injury.
“The council risks not only reputational damage but also potential enforcement action from the Health and Safety Executive for failing to meet its basic duty of care.”
Cllr Hirani was calling on the council to “act immediately” by removing the “condemned play structure”, as well as carrying out a full inspection of all of the equipment in Woodcock Park to ensure it meets the required safety standards.
Since being approached for comment by the LDRS, Brent Council has announced that the equipment has been closed off whilst repair work is carried out.
A council spokesperson said: “We take resident safety seriously, so we have closed off the equipment which is broken. Daily checks are taking place to make sure that it cannot be used, until new parts arrive and we can fix the equipment.”
Grant Williams is a journalist and Local Democracy Reporter (LDR) for Reach PLC, reporting on local government, politics and community issues across London. As part of the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he has contributed to Harrow Online, covering council decisions, housing developments, transport, planning matters and stories affecting local communities across Harrow and Brent.
