Oxford council leader speaks on South Park fireworks damage

Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council, said heavy rain leading up to the 55th Annual Charity Fireworks Display on November 4 meant the event's heavy machinery “churned up the ground in a way we haven’t experienced before”.

Ms Brown said she “shared the upset” of Oxford folk about the damage, which is not expected to be fixed until the spring once the ground has dried out.

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The Labour councillor said the authority, which manages the park below Headington Hill, was “looking at what steps we can take to avoid this happening again”.

This includes discussions with organisers Oxford Round Table about the future of the event, which has been run for more than 50 years.

It follows criticism of the council and Oxford Round Table for leaving the park resembling a “WW1 battlefield”, as described by one nearby resident.

30-or-so messages have appeared on a sign in South Park following the fireworks event (Image: Public)

Peeved park-users have written messages – one of which accuses the council of “failing in its duty” – on a wooden sign which asks for people’s views on the damage.

Ms Brown, who represents the Churchill ward, said: “South Park is one of the jewels in Oxford’s crown and it sits right next to my own ward - so I fully shared the upset many people felt when they saw the damage.

“After all the rain we’ve had, the heavy plant used to take stalls and the funfair on and off the site churned up the ground in a way we haven’t experienced before.

“There are lessons to be learned to prevent this happening in future. We will of course ensure the park is fully restored as soon as the growing season permits.  

“Meanwhile, we are looking at what steps we can take to avoid this happening again.

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Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council, said she “shared the upset” of Oxford folk about the damage to the park (Image: Contributed)

“Oxford Round Table has held a charity fireworks event in South Park for over 50 years and this year sold more than 25,000 tickets.

“At this stage I don’t want to rule in or out any options. I will also ensure we engage with the wider Oxford community before any final decision is taken.”

The council claimed a specialist inspection had shown there was no long term damage to the ridge and furrow archaeological features of the park.

Parts of the park will be reseeded as part of the remediation work, which will also involve some ground levelling.

The reseeded area may need to be cordoned off, with the council planning to install diversion signs to “prevent further churning up of the ground”.