AN urgent meeting has been called after a concerned councillor highlighted the poor state of play equipment at a children’s play park, including cracks where a child’s foot could get stuck.
Cllr Mel Fordington said she wanted something done to improve the condition of the play equipment at Hallow Playground, including cracks ‘big enough for a child’s foot to get stuck’.
Cllr Fordington, Conservative county councillor for Hallow, said she wanted something done about these safety and accessibility issues with a meeting set to take place later this month to discuss the next steps.
CRACKS: Cracks in the surface of Hallow Playground (Image: Supplied by Mel Fordington)
Cllr Fordington said: “The well-being of children is a fundamental priority for us rather than merely a slogan.”
She said a meeting would be held at Hallow Playground on Monday, September 14, at 11am.
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She said Cabinet Members for Education and Health, alongside Director Lisa McNally’s public health team, had been invited. The Hallow Parish Chair also supports the effort, said Cllr Fordington.
Cllr Fordington said: “We need urgent improvements in our playgrounds.”
MEETING: Cllr Mel Fordington says ‘the wellbeing of children is a fundamental priority’ as she emphasises the poor condition of Hallow Playground (Image: Worcestershire County Council)
The councillor said deteriorating equipment, poor drainage and limited access for children with additional needs were affecting the site.
Active play can reduce obesity, improve respiratory health and establish lifelong habits. She said the meeting was intended to provide oversight and data for the initiative.
She added that support from both departments was needed to raise public awareness and carry out changes.
The issue follows concerns that playground facilities are inadequate for children. Cllr Fordington said ensuring safe places for children was part of her responsibility, arguing that the parish chair’s support reflected the significant and growing demand for improvements.
She said: “The impact on health is significant, as active play reduces obesity, improves respiratory health, and establishes lifelong habits. Deteriorating equipment, poor drainage, and a lack of accessibility for children with additional needs are not minor inconveniences but rather infrastructure failures with serious health implications.
“As your county councillor, ensuring our children have safe places to thrive is a central part of my professional responsibility. This is why our meeting is so important.”
