PARENTS have hit out after a council closed its play parks.

Bampton Parish Council discussed the decision at a meeting last week, and decided that one of the parks could reopen if ‘community help was forthcoming’.

The U-turn came after parents raised concern about the impact on their children’s physical and mental health.

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One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said of the closures: “This has left many local residents with young children without a place to take their kids, given the Government guidelines not to travel.

“We are concerned about the impact on children’s physical and mental health as well as depriving parents of a place to take their children during lockdown.

“Many residents have volunteered to help with opening and closing the parks and the required cleaning of equipment but these offers have so far been ignored by the council.

“Given that all other local villages, including Aston, Alvescot and Brize Norton, seem to have managed to keep their parks open, we feel that Bampton are overlooking their duty to local residents.”

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In a statement, the parish council said it met with the Bampton Recreation Ground Trust last Wednesday to discuss the play parks.

The statement read: “The council and trust were very aware of the depth of feeling expressed by a few members of the community via social media and emails about the temporary closure of Mercury Close and Pembroke Place play areas.

“They discussed Government regulations with which they are required to comply, the revised risk assessment report undertaken in view of the Government lockdown, and advice received from their insurers.

“It was decided that, if community help was forthcoming, Pembroke Place play park could be opened but regrettably Mercury Close play park would need to remain closed.

“The reason for this is that there is evidence that the Mercury Close park, despite being fenced, is being accessed when closed making it impossible to ensure compliance with Government regulations.

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“The parish council and recreation ground trust are run by volunteers and have very limited resources.

“They will therefore need to call for assistance from residents if Pembroke Place is to reopen.

“The council will contact those residents who have shown an interest in helping and have commissioned the new signs needed and the work to adapt play equipment where social distancing cannot be safely controlled, for example tunnels.

“All these measures are to ensure users remain as safe as possible but will take a few days to put in place.

“The council and recreation ground trust would also like to emphasise that the recreation ground – over 17 acres – remains open, as does Sandford Field in the centre of the village.”