Brand new park, locked shut for 18 months !!

The Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association has hit out at Havering Council for its failings to open a brand new park, in Lodge Lane, Collier Row.

The park was built as part of the new Forest Row Centre, although the park is in the grounds of the centre, it is managed by the Councils Parks Department, but since being finished in Sept 2007, it still remains closed and un-used as officers have failed to install security fencing and dealt with the land ownership issues with the lease holders of the centre.

Despite promises from officers to Cllr Mann that the issue will be dealt with, nothing has happened. The Forest Row Centre gets all of the complaints as the park is on their land at present and it is not fair on them. Children constantly climb over fences to get to the park.

Collier Row Councillor, Andrew Mann said “It is unbelievable that a brand new park can be built by the Council for the youth of Collier Row and then keep it shut for almost two years, they should hang their heads in shame”.

Havering Park Action Member, Denis Stevens (Pictured on the right) said “With complaints from residents about the lack of provision for younger people in Collier Row, it is almost criminal that this new facility, that has never been opened should be allowed to sit and rot, the Council are forever telling us how much they are spending on the parks, yet in Collier Row they are being neglected.

Go to the link below to see the original story when the park was finished and should have opened straight after.

http://andrewmann.blogspot.com/2007/11/new-park-for-collier-row.html