By Martyn Smith
Council workers fitted a toddler’s style swing in Swan Pool Park to the delight of park users however days later it was removed after the council admitted it may be unsafe.
Following consultation with safety experts, it has now been revealed the swing is to be re-installed, leaving one local councillor insisting the time has come for a new group dedicated to looking after the Swan Street green space.
Cllr Andrew Tromans, who represents Wollaston and Stourbridge Town, said: “I am pleased to hear the toddler swing will be going back in at Swan Pool Park.
“Its ‘hokey-cokey’ installation and removal was farcical. Some might even say health and safety gone mad.
“Swan Pool Park is crying out for more investment, and this episode underscores the need for a dedicated friends group for Swan Pool. Something my friend and former Wollaston councillor Lois Bramall is leading on.”
After the swing was removed, the council’s parks development manager, Daniel Fildes, sent a message to councillors on July 1 explaining why the changes were made.
Mr Fildes said: “I am aware the seats were changed on Friday for a toddler and flat seat, which was well received by the park users, however we were concerned that there may be a safety conflict with mixing the two age groups in close proximity and we have reverted the swings back to their original configuration whilst we check with RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) regarding this aspect.
“I appreciate this should have been checked before we made the change, but once I receive clarification, I will advise you accordingly.”
The situation moved quickly and on July 2, another ward councillor, Jason Griffin, posted on Facebook: “Earlier this week, the toddler swing at Swanpool Park was removed after the maintenance team raised some concerns.
“Since then, I’ve been working closely with the Parks Development team, and I’m pleased to share that RoSPA have confirmed it’s safe to reinstall.”
Cllr Tromans, a former RoSPA employee, said: “I hope families with young children enjoy the swing.”
Meanwhile former councillor Bramall is hosting a meeting for people interested in forming a new friends group for the park at the Gigmill pub in Norton on Wednesday July 9 at 7.30pm.