Popular Inverness park play equipment in Whin Park closed for welding work to take place
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An area within a busy play park in Inverness has been fenced off after fears for children using the equipment.
A major piece of equipment in the play park at Whin Park has been taken out of action after it was discovered metal was protruding from the chute.
Councillor Bill Boyd, Inverness West, said he was shocked to learn the play equipment had been closed without any consultation with ward members, and said the work to the chute should be completed as soon as possible.
He said: "All the equipment in the play park are great assets not only to the children in the city, but from a much wider area. So I hope the equipment will be repaired as soon as possible for children to get back outside and enjoying it."
Councillor Alex Graham, Inverness West, said: "Whin Park is probably the largest single play area in the Highland Council and is used by families from all over Inverness as well as further afield. Many visiting families on holiday in the Highland also take their children there. It’s part of a range of facilities available in the Bught Park area, including the historic Ness Islands.
"Currently some items of equipment there are closed off for safety reasons as in many other Council play areas. It’s fair to say that some of the equipment in Whin Park gets heavy usage and is now ageing and looking very tired.
"Like other wards, Inverness West councillors – Bill Boyd, Graham Ross and myself – will be looking what can be done to maintain and improve our local play parks, including Whin Park."
He added: "Play area funding was cut drastically in recent years, affecting parks all over the Council area. The council did agree a new approach in January to take forward play park improvements, although these can’t take effect until next month."
A Highland Council spokesman said: "It’s not the whole park, it’s the chute of the climbing unit so that bit of equipment had to be fenced off.
"The welds on the chute are coming apart leaving sharp edges.
"If the weather holds tomorrow, Wednesday, the team will weld it, but it needs dry weather. As soon as the welds are fixed, it will reopen.
"It was discovered during a routine inspection today."
Playparks are due to be a topic of discussion on Thursday's City of Inverness area committee.
To read more about concerns being raised about play parks click here.
