Jubilee Park in Winchcombe closed after safety concerns over 'slippy moss'

A POPULAR play park for children in Winchcombe has been closed off for health and safety reasons.

Jubilee Park play area was closed by the town council after the rubber tiles layering the play area became overgrown with moss and slippery.

A Winchcombe Town Council spokesman said he did not know when it would be able to reopen the gates to allow children to play in the area, but he added it would not be until the spring.

The council does not plan to discuss the opening of the play park until then, when the matter will be referred to the playing fields committee meeting.

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Ron Harrison, chairman of Winchcombe Town Council, said it was a decision councillors had been forced to make in order to protect residents.

"The surface is very slippery," he said.

"In the winter, it gets moss and algae growing on it.

"It seems to be getting out of hand and growing quite a lot, so we had to close the play park.

"The problem is the area does not get sun because the tall trees nearby block them out."

He added that they could not cut the trees as they were in the gardens of nearby homes.

"We have tried everything," he added.

"We've have been scrubbing and pressure jetting the area, but the main problem is it doesn't get sun because of the nearby trees.

"It never gets to dry out and we've had a few people slipping over on them.

"For health and safety reasons, we had to close it.

"The trees are in houses next door, so we can't just cut them down.

"It is even worse in this current weather."

He added that parents could take their children to other play areas, including the King George playing field, and the toddlers' play area in Becketts Lane.

Amanda Clements-Hunt, a 40-year-old mother from the town, said: "The play area is mostly used by children between five and 10 years old I think, and quite well used in the town.

"I'm sure the children will want to play there, but if the tiles are slippery, it will be a problem.

"There are few other options for children around here, but some of the other play areas have equipment which are too big for younger children."

The town play area benefited from a £5,500 refurbishment in 2008.