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ANGRY parents claim overgrown grass around a children’s play area is a “serious health hazard”.
They say the grass, which was last cut in March, is home to snakes and ticks which means youngsters have to be kept inside.
The parents also claim the Borough Council is neglecting the area in Oakey Drive because it is “hidden away” while “more visible areas” of the town are being tended to.
Residents who contacted Wokingham Today are also angry that the play area was closed for two weeks for repainting and has been opened again despite half the equipment left untouched.
Philip Warren who has two children aged 10 and 12, refuses to let them play in the park or surrounding grassy area.
“This is the worst I have seen it in the 20 years I have lived here,” he said.
“Neighbours have reported seeing grass snakes which can be very dangerous but the big worry are ticks which spread lyme disease. We want our children to be outdoors and active but how can we let them play in an area which could seriously harm their health?
“The council told us the grass wasn’t cut in March or April because it was too wet. Now they say the grass is too long for the machines they have so they need to resource equipment from elsewhere but can’t give a date when this will happen.
“I know people from Gorrick Square off Finchampstead Road whose grass has also been uncut for months. Meanwhile,areas that are more visible are being tended to which makes us think we are being penalised because we are hidden from view.”
Another resident, Esther Keene also said she refuses to let her six-year-old son out to play.
“Its only a few weeks until the summer holidays and we are all worried we will have to keep our children indoors. In the past, they have played cricket and football on the grassy area around the playpark but with the long grass there and in the play area itself, they are either in the house or on the pavement which is not ideal.
“The tick problem is something all parents dread so its not just about getting out to play, it’s about a serious health risk too. I have also been told by people in other parts of Wokingham, not on main roads, that their grass has been left uncut. If I had a lawnmower, I’d do it myself but the council would probably sue me. Maybe we should get a rebate on our council tax and then we could hire professionals to get the grass cut.”
Another resident who asked not to be named slammed the Borough for neglecting Oakey Drive: “Summer months here used to be a time when parents sat out with their children and it meant neighbours chatting together. Now all that has gone.
“Maybe the council is waiting for the grass to die down in the winter but then they’ll probably say its too icy so they’ll wait until spring. We don’t pay council tax to be fobbed off with excuses.
“The play area was closed for two weeks because we were told it was being repainted. It was opened again this week but half the equipment hasn’t been touched. The council doesn’t seem to know what they’re doing and it isn’t good enough.”
Cllr Ian Shenton, executive member for Environment, Sport and Leisure, said: “The open space around the park on Oakey Drive was cut last week, having last been cut in April. Fast growth following the wettest March on record has made cutting progress slow for in some areas, but our contractors are working overtime across the borough to catch up. The grass in the play area has been strimmed since the previous cut in April.
“Most of the equipment in the play area was due to be painted, which meant our contractor had to close it. Unfortunately, some of the paint work was damaged before it fully dried, meaning some areas had to be redone.
“That work has now been completed and the park reopened on July 10. We will review the work and make sure that everything that required painting has been painted.
“We will be keeping the grass in the play area short, which should mean there isn’t a greater risk of ticks or grass snakes in the areas that are most used by children.
“We would be grateful to hear of any reported grass snakes so this can be recorded, as they are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. You can email us at cleanerandgreener@wokingham.
Article updated on Wednesday, July 18, to add Cllr Shenton’s comments
