Better play facilities needed in Royston say youth council

BETTER play facilities are needed for older children in Royston, according to a youth council.

North Herts District Council recently installed a new slide in the playground at Priory Memorial Gardens, Royston, after an older model was vandalised.

However Royston Youth Council is disappointed with the replacement.

Anna Lambert, 16, from the youth council, said: "Getting rid of the big slide has made the park only suitable for toddlers.

"Many of the children in the town have mentioned they are upset by this. They want 'big slides and proper swings'.

"These younger children liked the excitement and adrenaline from playing on the larger pieces of equipment, and as an active member of the youth council I am shocked that we were not told anything about this change, until it happened.

"Why did the council not ask the people who would actually be using it for their opinion?"

Earlier this year it was revealed that the district council had spent �60,000 repairing play equipment in Royston which had been damaged by vandals.

Almost �10,000 of this was used in Priory Memorial Gardens to replace the slide, a climbing frame, and repair damaged fencing.

"I understand that the council has spent valuable time and money to set up this new slide, but unfortunately it is not what many young children want," said Anna.

"I remember having great fun on the 'big slide' when I was younger and it was the favourite of everyone I knew.

"Schoolchildren of all ages want to go to parks to have fun with their friends, and by making activities at the park tamer, it has lost some appeal."

A spokesman for North Herts District Council could not shed any light on why the youngsters had not been consulted over this change to the play equipment.

However, he said: "Our grounds team intend to make contact with the youth council shortly over long term plans for play provision in Royston generally.