Calls to fix Huddersfield playpark dubbed "worst in Northern England"
For five years, councillors in Crosland Moor say they have been campaighning to fix the “long-forgotten” Rashcliffe Park.
Councillors are calling for an urgent fix to a children’s park in Huddersfield, after branding it one of the “worst playgrounds in the North of England”.
For five years, councillors in Crosland Moor say they have been campaighning to fix the “long-forgotten” Rashcliffe Park.
With upturned and cracking rubber floors, missing gates that lead straight onto a main road and a roundabout full of gravel, parents say they are constantly worried about their children being injured at the park.
One parent, who did not wish to be named, spoke with the Local Democracy Service (LDRS) at the park, explaining that her two-year-old had only recently recovered from a black eye after “tripping over”.
Moments later, another of her children – a five-year-old girl – came running over, crying that she had grazed her hand on stones which had been shoved under a piece of equipment.
The parent explained that the area was also rife with anti-social behaviour. Pointing to turfed-up grass, the mother-of-three said: “You see boys in masks on E-bikes here all the time at night. It is dirty, and there is a lot of fly-tipping as well.”
Speaking with the LDRS, Green Party Councillor for Crosland Moor, Imran Safdar, explained that for a lot of parents – despite the dangers – this was one of the only places to take children to play in the area.
Cllr Safdar said: “It’s possibly one of the worst play areas in the North of England, but it’s not as simple as just not turning up. I can get in my car and drive to different parks. I am fortunate, but many parents can’t. It’s a bit of a stain on our authority.”
Cllr Safdar explained that he had been pushing for the park to be fixed for the last five years and was now launching a petition to ensure the park was no longer “forgotten” by the council.
Cllr Safdar said: “You would be forgiven for asking if this was Kirkburton, for example, would this be allowed to happen? Along with the wonderful help of the Victoria Road Mosque, we are now calling for a timeline to be produced this municipal year to fix the park.
“This has been ongoing for almost five years, and so many councillors and youth groups have raised the issue. We are asking for CCTV, bins and a proper play area.”
Speaking at the park, Councillor Pip Harvey, Cabinet Member for Place, Culture and Volunteering, said: “The council is progressing plans to upgrade Rashcliffe Park, and ward councillors were given an update on August 18, confirming that survey work had been completed and the design process was underway.
“I understand the community’s desire to see improvements and I want to see this project move forward. Since Cllr Safdar raised the matter with me, I have discussed his concerns with him directly and agreed to visit the ward to see the park and speak about the issues raised.
“The revised proposals will be shared with ward councillors before wider community engagement takes place. My focus is on working constructively with local councillors and residents to make sure we deliver the best possible improvements for the community.”