Sir - Critics of our (Risinghurst and Sandhills Parish Council's) 'No ball games on the streets' signs (Oxford Mail, August 16) might like to ponder what they would have done in our place.
Faced with serious complaints by Sandhills residents whose property had been damaged by balls and who had been intimidated by robust teenagers retrieving their balls from gardens, we consulted the police and took what we believe was the only effective course of action. To remove the notices on Burdell Avenue now, to satisfy our critics, would turn that street into a magnet for ball games, for which most Burdell residents certainly would not thank us.
We recognize the problem of a lack of facilities on Sandhills, especially since the loss of the children's play area, which is still awaiting the promised replacement. However, there is now a sizeable patch of rough ground for community use next to Sandhills school.
Some parents have suggested that part of the new school playing fields could be fenced off to provide a local play area. Whether this is feasible or not remains to be seen. But it might help to allay the criticism.
Michael March
Risinghurst and Sandhills Parish Council
Oxford
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