This is a great initiative. I have written to the council a few times about this playground. Here is my email from a few of months ago, plus their response:
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29 December 2020
Dear Madam/Sir,
I am writing about the state of the
Clapham Common Westside Playground. We have frequented the playground for a number of years since our son was born, and before that with young nephews. The playground is now in the worst state of repair since I moved to the area in 2001.
There are serious health, safety and cleanliness issues that I believe require urgent attention. I have attached pictures showing uneven (ground) surfaces, poor drainage which collects stagnant water, mud and sand (which has become sludge). The metal framework around the swings is not sturdy and close to collapse in some places. And one of four shock absorbers on the jeep has been broken for many years.
Since the demolition of the sand pit a number of years ago, sand was distributed around the playground instead of being removed. That is now on all the surfaces, making it easy for children to slip and fall. A large amount of sand has also collected under the train, where rats have been regularly seen. We can only assume they are living there.
In September a large amount of (clearly) human excrement was left inside the train. It was cordoned off but not cleaned for three days. When it was cleaned a council worker was dispatched with a bucket, broom and disinfectant. It was clearly not adequate equipment for either the maintenance man or the task at hand.
All these issues are openly apparent and would be immediately picked up in any routine inspection of the playground. In addition, throughout the pandemic, there has been no additional cleaning, not even after the playground was re-opened after being closed through the first national lockdown. There are also no signs to encourage parents to wear masks and take sensible precautions, something which playgrounds in other boroughs have had for months.
It takes only short trips to playgrounds in other boroughs (notably Wandsworth and Chelsea) where playgrounds are in much better state of repair.
While I fully understand that public finances are under sever pressure, and have been well before the pandemic, it must be a priority to ensure our children are able to play in a safe, clean and well maintained environment. I refer you to Section 10 from the Lambeth Parks Maintenance 2020-21 Specification document. The attached pictures are adequate proof that this is not the case in this playground:
I urge the council to inspect the playground as a matter of urgency and look forward to a response on how this might be addressed, even if it is incrementally.
Your faithfully,
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8 January 2021
Dear SJR
Thank you for contacting the Lambeth Parks Team, I am sorry that you are not feeling satisfied regarding the Battersea Rise/Clapham Common Westside Play Area.
The issue regarding the human waste you mentioned has been investigated with our operations team. At the time there was an issue with the jet washer, therefore the equipment was scrubbed to ensure cleanliness and hygiene, then jet washed when the equipment was operational.
Your health and safety concerns regarding the swings was not in our most recent ROSPA inspection. The shock absorber on the play jeep was mentioned, but not as an issue that causes a risk to the public. We will be investigating the replacement of this part as mentioned below.
There does appear to be a build up of sand on the site. We will therefore be carrying out the following actions to restore the appearance of the play area:
Short term (next couple of weeks)
• Jet washing the hard standing areas to make them free of sand
• Brushing the safety surface clean of sand and debris.
• Remove the grass mats beneath the mushrooms and rake the ground level
• Lose as much of the excess sand in the surrounding grass area.
In the next few months, weather permitting, we will also look to:
• Replace the surface under the swings with tiger mulch, a porous surface, which will hopefully relieve some of the flooding issues.
• Cleaning then repainting the equipment, restoring the original colour
• Look to remove as much sand from this area as possible to reduce problems moving forward.
- Investigate the replacement of the shock absorber on the HAGS jeep.
If you have any further questions or queries please do not hesitate to get back to me.
Kind regards
Tom Smith
Parks Development Officer
Environment and Streetscene
Residents’ Services
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