RESIDENTS have been told that their trampolines and swimming pools will be removed tomorrow, despite pleading with council to let them stay.

As reported in the Oxford Mail, parents at Hawksmoor Road flats in Cutteslowe received a letter from Oxford City Council last week, ordering them to remove plastic pools and trampolines over ‘health and safety’ issues.

Oxford Mail:

This caused outrage from residents, who said children would be ‘stuck inside’ during the heat if they could not play in the pool, which was situated in the communal garden.

Following an ‘informal’ visit, the letter said an extension of seven days had been put in place, giving the residents until August 17 to remove the items. It also said that if the items were not removed they would be taken away by the council and the residents would be charged.

The letter went on: “I would like to reiterate that we are requesting this with the safety of your children in mind. Oxford City Council, as the landowner, has a duty of care over people using our communal spaces, and we take that responsibility incredibly seriously.

“There is not a rule book, or piece of primary legislation, that defines exactly where the line is drawn on what equipment is allowed and what isn’t. It comes down to whether or not there is a reasonable expectation that serious injury could occur as a result of the piece of equipment. We have identified that there is a real risk of personal injury to children playing on trampolines and in paddling pools which is why we are asking that they are removed.”

David Saxon, who has lived in the flats for nine years, said he and other residents at the least wanted to delay the removal until the end of summer when children would be back at school and temperatures cooler.