Councillors demand return of Tanhouse Park play equipment

Local councillors are demanding that Dudley Council restore the play equipment removed from Tanhouse Park and fund improvements for local children.

Liberal Democrats, Cllr Kash Khan and Cllr Ryan Priest, are leading the campaign following the removal of the equipment which they say was without warning or consultation with ward councillors.

The pair have been told that families can use play areas at Homer Hill Park and Bernard Oakley Memorial Gardens - and that the Tanhouse Park space could become a wildflower meadow.

Councillor Khan said: “Dudley Council has let down the children and families who rely on Tanhouse Park. Taking away their play equipment and telling them to go somewhere else is simply unacceptable.

“A park further away is no substitute for a play area on your doorstep. Parents should not have to choose between sending their children on a longer journey and seeing them miss out.

In a decision memorandum issued by council staff, it's felt that the site - alongside others in Dewberry Road, Wordsley and Western Avenue, Brierley Hill, receive "minimal usage due to [their] isolated site location, low footfall and general poor condition".

The document adds that "to maximise value and ensure benefits to a greater number of users, we propose, where feasible, to relocate equipment to more active and well-used play areas, to add play value and capacity to those sites.

"Teme Road play area is in [close] proximity of to Homer Hill which offers much larger, diverse play facilities and in 0.5 miles of Bernard Oakley Memorial Gardens a recently refurbished play area.

"This decision aligns with our strategic objectives to improve the safety, quality, and accessibility of play areas while ensuring responsible use of resources."

Cllrs Khan and Priest have launched a petition for any residents who would like to support it. You can sign it at dshlibdems.uk.

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