Killjoy council officers have torn up a village’s only playground amid fears that kids might get stuck in the fun tunnel – if they are too FAT.
A demolition crew moved onto the play area unannounced on Thursday morning to destroy a tunnel that had been enjoyed for years, but has now been deemed too dangerous with rising obesity in children.
Tandridge District Council have confirmed the tunnel was “condemned” and had been removed to “protect” local children following a safety inspection, despite it being tall enough for a toddler to walk in.
A section of the Mint Walk Recreation Ground in Warlingham, Surrey, has been shut off, denying the village’s kids a safe space to play and exercise during the end of the school holidays.
The main feature of the play site was a concrete tunnel, tall enough for a toddler to stand up in, that the local council fear could prove dangerous if anybody got stuck in it.
According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, playgrounds must abide by Health and Safet Act etc 1974 and British Standards to ensure the safety of children on play equipment around the country.
A Spokesperson for Tandridge District Council said: “The council has removed the tunnel equipment in the playground at Mint Walk recreation ground in Warlingham to protect local children.
“Following a safety inspection the equipment was condemned and as a result the council took action to remove it.
“As a result an area of the park is currently cordoned off while the removal takes place, but this is not expected to take more than two days and it is anticipated the park will be open as normal at the weekend.
“It is the only piece of equipment that has been removed from the playground and plans are currently being finalised to put a new piece of equipment in its place and the Council will share an update about this soon.
“We apologise for any inconvenience the removal will cause but the Council’s first priority is to ensure the safety of its residents.”
