Ross play area closed

A children’s play area in Ross-on-Wye is being cleared today (Tuesday, October 18) after inspectors ruled that it no longer met new European safety standards.

Two infants swings and a slide will be decommissioned and removed at the open space near Bluebell Close.

Work is expected to be completed tomorrow (Wednesday, October 19).
 
Herefordshire Council was obliged to take appropriate action after inspectors from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) stated that the play area no longer met European standards for both equipment and surfacing.

Tony Featherstone, Parks & Countryside Manager, said: “The council takes very seriously its responsibilities when it comes to children’s play areas. 

“Whereas it is always regrettable when provision is lost, consideration for children’s safety will always be the overriding concern.”

The area will be landscaped and a new grass surface installed.

Due to the age and nature of the provision, it was not economically viable to replace the equipment or surfacing. 

Evidence from inspections suggested that the area was not extensively used and that the two pieces of equipment were no longer fulfilling local needs.