PARENTS and councillors want more equipment at a new £90,000 play area in Blackbird Leys, saying they are not very impressed with it.

The new play area, in Cuddesdon Way, was refurbished by Oxford City Council at the end of last year when 20-year-old equipment was taken out.

New equipment included a large scramble net, swings, toddler swings and a rope roundabout.

But some residents are not impressed with the council’s efforts, and said they were expecting something more impressive for the money.

Carmel Ryan, 46, of Balfour Road, Blackbird Leys, mum to George, 12, and Danni, 13, said: “It’s disgusting the amount of money they spent on it, for that. Is that it?

“Why don’t they get us a price list, or an invoice so we can see how much it cost? I reckon I could have done the work for £6,000.

“Lots of people have told me there is not enough equipment.

“They are not impressed with it. They took down the metal fence that had been there for 20 odd years so dogs can run in and the children can get out.”

Last year, Blackbird Leys community lost its skate park in Cuddesdon Way to make way for a Co-op nursery on the site.

Blackbird Leys Parish Council chairman Gordon Roper agreed with critics of the new play area.

He said: “There was a lot of money spent and there’s only three pieces of equipment.

“It doesn’t seem like it’s finished.

“We’ve been trying to get it re-done for years and we thought it was going to be good. I want an answer.”

The council, which has spent £2.5m over two years on 55 run-down play parks around the city, said the Blackbird Leys equipment was intended to complement the existing play area on the opposite side of the park in Pegasus Road.

Spokesman Louisa Dean said: “We feel that they provide sufficient play provision for a range of age groups.”

She said that the council had received lots of positive feedback from users of the park who thought the new play area was a vast improvement on the old one.