News / Victoria Park
Swings set to be removed from south Bristol park
A set of swings in one south Bristol park may currently just be metal frames, but local residents who have enjoyed using the play equipment for more than two decades still hope to see them swinging again.
Many people who use the swings in the area of Victoria Park known as the “bottom park” want to see them reinstated as soon as possible.
But this looks unlikely due to the age of the equipment, with Bristol City Council saying that the swings were removed for safety reasons.
The swings are close to St Mary Redcliffe Primary School and have long been a place where pupils play after school.
A petition currently signed by more than 125 people is called for the swings to be reinstated, claiming that they were removed without any warning.
“We want them back!” said petition founder Lena Wright.
The swings in Victoria Park have been here for more than 20 years – photo: Martin Booth
Former councillor for Windmill Hill, Lucy Whittle, tweeted that she was “afraid this was always going to happen at some point”.
She said: “I was told when I started that if/when they were next inspected they were deemed unsafe they would be taken down, and there were no funds to replace them, especially given how close the swings up the hill are.”
A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: “We understand that there will be disappointment at the loss of these swings, which have been in position for more than 20 years.
“However, our regular monitoring revealed that their condition was finally deteriorating which required their removal for safety reasons.
“There remain two fully-functioning play areas in Victoria Park, including a main play area with swings adjacent to Nutgrove Avenue.
“We are also working closely with the park action group over the design of a new wheels park at this site.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read more: ‘Neglected’ residents with ‘no safe and secure playground’ begin campaign for new park
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