We’re furious after our killjoy council stripped our park of its playground without warning – it’s a crying shame

FAMILIES have been left fuming after a killjoy council stripped a field of all its play equipment – without even having the decency to tell them of the plans.

Misery council staff ripped out the swings and climbing frame from the playground in Stoke-on-Trent claiming the equipment was not up to “health and safety” standards.

This is despite local kids playing on the swings and climbing frame for decades.

Instead they are being told to use newer equipment at a nearby playground in the Trent Vale area of the city.

Staff nurse Evie Mamali told the playground is “really really important” for nippers in the area as it keeps kids happy.

The 36-year-old added the removal of the playground has left her lads “really shocked” and parents are hacked off by the decision.

“But the most important thing is they did not tell us”, fuming Evie added.

Neighbour June Bushin says the council turned up in three vehicles to tear the equipment out the soil in Beaver Close Park.

The 78-year-old said: “They just said that they had come to remove the park because they’d had anti-social behaviour… It’s a crying shame.”

Barbara Nihill’s children once played on the playground – and her grandchildren had been enjoying it but now they’re “stuck in the back garden”.

The 67-year-old branded the decision “disgraceful” and said the council “ought to be ashamed of themselves” .

“It’s the kids that are suffering”, Barbara stressed.,

StokeonTrentLive reported the council removed equipment from two other parks this week and despite the backlash, has defended its decision.

Rachel Hughes, 49, a resident of 15-years, said the decision is “just a shame.”

Councillor Carl Edwards, cabinet member for the environment, told StokeonTrentLive: “We have found that some play equipment in the Bridgett Pool playground is not to the standard that we would accept in our play areas so we have taken the decision to remove it.

“The continuation of replacing surfaces and any rotten equipment continues throughout the summer and autumn and will see many playgrounds improved.”