Contractors blamed for Petworth play park bog
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
Vice chairman of the council Roger Hanauer told fellow town councillors at a meeting last night (Thursday, February 18), there had been no apology from contractors who had not stopped work even when they were ‘squidging’ around in mud.
“They soldiered on, in my view solely to finish and get their money. They showed no duty of care whatsoever,” he said.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“We should withhold a substantial amount of money because they are not shouldering their responsibility as they should.”
But Neville Fox told fellow councillors he wanted his concerns about withholding such a substantial sum of money placed on record.
“I am not 100 per cent sure we are on sound contractual ground to withhold the money.
“I haven’t seen the contract or correspondence but I am concerned about the amount of money withheld. I hope you have sound reasons.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdChairman Chris Kemp said the contractors had now moved the fence so only the two towers and the swings were sealed off.
The trim trail and the zip wire was in use and town councillors were told they were popular and being heavily used.
“But sadly it’s still very, very boggy there and until the weather really improves there is no way we can allow people to use the rest of the equipment,” he said.
“We have got to do a bit of work with the contractors to make sure they go back and make sure the play park conforms with ROSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) standards.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHe said the problem lay with the safety surface which was uneven and work needed to be done to rectify it.
Nearby residents who were angry they had not been consulted before the new play was built, warned the area had been a pond and was prone to flooding.
But they say they were ignored by the town council and contractors.
Mr Kemp has refuted claims the play park land was under the pond.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“We are all aware that sadly it wasn’t the best month to construct this new play park, but we weren’t aware that we would have the worst weather since 1910. However I have spoken to a lot of people and they are still excited about what has been provided.”
He said the quagmire had been caused because in heavy rain: “when you have half a dozen blokes marching backwards and forwards they plough the ground up. Hampers Common is quite a wet area.”
He said work could be carried out to drain the land and the culvert under the road needed clearing.”
Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHere are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.
1) Make our website your homepage at www.midhurstandpetworth.co.uk/
2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MidhurstandPetworthObserver
3) Follow us on Twitter @mid_pet_obs
4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.
And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!
The Midhurst and Petworth Observer - always the first with your local news.
Be part of it.