101 Bristol play areas in need of repairs within a year

Two-thirds of Bristol’s play areas have defects serious enough to need repairing within a year, it can be revealed.

But councillors fear it’s a hopeless task because the budget to do the work and replace equipment that’s past its shelf life is a fraction of the overall bill.

Latest figures show there were 397 defects classed as “medium-risk” logged at playgrounds, wheel parks and multi-use games areas as of March 11, ranging from broken signs and rotting wooden benches to minor damage to apparatus.

They have been identified at 101 of the city council’s 151 play parks.

The local authority says safety of the areas is a high priority and it carries out inspections weekly or fortnightly.

The issue was raised by councillor Tim Kent who asked for the total backlog of repairs and equipment needing replacement at a recent meeting of Bristol City Council member forum.

In a written reply, the authority said: “Defects are categorised by risk with high-risk items tackled as soon as possible and medium-risk tackled within 12 months.

“Lower-risk items do not necessarily require a response as they do not affect safety nor play value in many cases.

“At March 11 there were 15 high-risk defects logged and 397 medium-risk defects. Play equipment is supplied with a manufacturer’s ‘shelf life’.

“However, as our play team makes repairs daily we are able to extend this shelf life, often considerably.”

Kent told the meeting on Tuesday, March 16: “We’re just about to begin the new financial year, so that means we are leaving this financial year with 400 defects. I believe the budget is around £130,000 for repairs.

“What can we do to try to get on top of these defects so there are fewer defects and better play areas by next year?”

Two-thirds of Bristol’s play areas have defects – photo by Ellie Pipe

Bristol mayor Marvin Rees replied: “That would be a case of us working with our maintenance teams to make sure they can get out to make those right and making sure we are getting good quality play equipment into our play areas in the first instance.

“We are in a situation where we as a local authority have faced cuts for many years and unfortunately those cuts aren’t an abstract, austerity wasn’t just a word, it has very real consequences for budgets and the abilities of local authorities to perform not just their basic core legal requirements but what they would like to do beyond their statutory requirements.

“The pressure is on everything as a consequence, but we are committed to supporting play.

“We have pressed ahead with our youth zones which are coming through, we’ve supported our sports teams with asset transfers within the city as we recognise the critical role they have played.

“But I don’t shy away from the fact we are under tremendous financial pressure and that rolls into our ability to maintain public assets.”

Hengrove and Whitchurch Park ward Lib Dem councillor Kent said after the meeting: “My guess is that we’re looking at a few million pounds of repairs which is a lot more than the budget.

“It is disgraceful because play areas have been so important and a sanctuary for kids during Covid as they’re often the only free space they have to go, especially on the edges of the city.”

He said he was finalising bids for £50,000 of community infrastructure levy funding for Hartcliffe Millennium Green play area where all five swings are missing and £100,000 to replace equipment at Fortfield Green play area which he says was at the end of its life more than five years ago.

The council says it is aware both play areas need investment and that it would welcome a conversation about how to improve the future design of Hartcliffe Millennium Green.

A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: “The safety of our play areas, wheels parks and multi-use games areas is a high priority, with health and safety inspections being carried out on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.

“Medium-risk defects that do not affect safety are repaired as required, but continue to be monitored, and replaced in the longer term if needed.

“Citizens can report concerns, repairs or clean ups required via our website at www.bristol.gov.uk/museums-parks-sports-culture/parks-maintenance.”

Tim Kent At Hartcliffe Millennium Green play area with the missing swings. Photo: John Myers

Defects posing an immediate risk are made safe at inspection or as soon as possible after being reported, with equipment taped off and any repairs or replacement completed within 24 hours unless parts need ordering.

The council says high-risk defects are often dealt with the same day and taped off to prevent use if necessary, while unsafe equipment is removed and replaced at a later date if and when funding allows.

The 101 play areas where medium-risk defects have been identified are:

• Albion Road
• Argyle Road Playing Fields
• Arnos Court Park
• Ashley Down Green
• Avonmouth Park
• Bannerman Road Park
• Barton Hill Flats
• Barton Hill Park
• Begbrook Green Park
• Bellevue Road Park
• Blaise Castle Estate
• Brandon Hill Park
• Brook Street CPG
• Canford Park
• Cashmore House
• Clifton and Durham Downs
• Cotham Gardens Green Space
• Cottle Road Green Space
• Crow Lane
• Dame Emily Park
• Dame Emily Park Skate
• Doncaster Road Park
• Dundridge Farm Playing Fields
• East Park
• Easton 3 (Twinnell House)
• Easton 5 (Walker Close)
• Eastville Park
• Eastwood Road
• Embleton Road
• Emerson Square
• Four Acres Close
• Gainsborough Square Park
• Gaunts Ham Park
• Gores Marsh Park
• Greville Smyth Park
• Hassell Drive Childrens Play Ground
• Headley Lane CPG
• Hillfields Recreation Ground
• Hillsborough Flats
• Home Ground (Shirehampton)
• Horfield Common
• Horfield Skate Park
• Hungerford Gardens
• Kings Head Lane Park
• Knowle West Health Park
• Lakemead Grove Sportsground
• Lamplighters Open Space
• Lawrence Weston Wheels Park
• Mancroft Avenue Open Space
• Marksbury Road
• Mary Carpenter Place
• Maskelyne Avenue Childrens Play Ground
• Meadow Vale
• Millennium Green
• Mina Road Park
• Montpelier Park
• Mowbray Road
• Netham Recreation Ground
• Newquay Road Childrens Play Ground
• Novers Park Road Childrens Play Ground
• Okebourne Open Space
• Old Quarry Park
• Oldbury Court Estate
• Owen Square Park
• Pen Park
• Perretts Park
• Poets Park
• Rawnsley Park
• Redcliffe Flats
• Redland Green Park
• Ridgeway Playing Fields
• Ridingleaze Play Area
• Riverside Park
• Royate Hill Flats
• School Road (Totterdown)
• Sea Mills Square
• South Street
• Space Maker
• Springfield Avenue
• St Agnes Park
• St Andrews Park
• St George Park
• St George Wheel Park
• St Judes Flats
• St Paul’s Park
• St Pauls Gardens (Oval & Halston Drive)
• St Werburghs Park Open Space
• Sturdon Road (Withers Green Courts)
• The Dings Park
• Trafalgar Terrace
• Troopers Hill
• Victoria Park
• Victory Park
• Warwick Road Housing
• Whittock Road – Play Area
• Whittock Road
• Winkworth Place
• Withywood Park

Adam Postans is a local democracy reporter for Bristol.

Main photo: Charlie Watt

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