'Gaping hole' left in fence at Grant Thorold Park 'could have caused an accident', says councillor
CONTRACTORS removing fencing for the council took out the wrong section, leaving a "gaping hole" and danger for children, according to a ward councillor.
Perimeter fencing which surrounded the old Grant Thorold Library, on the corner of Roberts Street and Durban Road, was taken out by contractors working on behalf of North East Lincolnshire Council.
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WIDE OPEN: Councillor Steve Beasant in front of the ‘gaping hole’ left at Grant Thorold Park after the fence has been removed by the council to be used in another ward.
The fence was due to be reinstated yesterday, at the contractor's expense.
However, Councillor Steve Beasant (Lib Dem, East Marsh), who was concerned that children playing in the park could run out into the road, is angry that another section of fencing which runs across the park has been deemed "surplus to requirements" and will instead be used to gate off alleyways in the Sidney Sussex ward.
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He said: "As a ward councillor for the East Marsh, I am flabbergasted that assets can be removed without consulting all of the relevant ward councillors. My concern now is that this could open up the flood gates and other assets could be removed across our local areas."
Councillor Beasant said that local residents had planned to use the fence to create an enclosed space in that corner of the park and turn it into a sensory garden. He said: "It appears that this project will now be put on hold unless we get some more funding."
Commenting on the erroneous removal of the boundary fencing, Councillor Beasant added: "It left the park completely open on one corner. It could have caused an accident – it would take just one child to run out onto the road."
Council leader Chris Shaw (Lab, Sidney Sussex) said that it was not common practice to consult ward councillors on routine "day to day operations" such as the removal of surplus fencing.
But he added that the plan had been mentioned to Councillor Terry Walker (Lab, East Marsh), who had raised no objections.
Councillor Walker said: "The perimeter fence was removed by mistake and it is going to be replaced. The other fence is surplus."
Asked about the plans to create a community garden, he said: "I can't comment on that because that has never been discussed with me."
6 Comments
by b_racuda
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 10:19PM
“[B] Hi Nuk, looks as though Mally's seething.
[N] That's all he can do though now.
[F] Haw, haw, haw, snigger, snigger, snigger, pfpfpfpfpfpfpfpfpfp”
by 1812o
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 10:57AM
“Here's the reason for this story, it's to provide yet another Steve Beasant photo shoot:
Poll March 3 2013
CON 31%
LAB 42%
LDEM 10%
UKIP 11%
It will take more than photo shoots to get Steve re-elected. Soon there won't be a single LibDem councillor in NEL and precious few Tories. In fact UKIP will probably be the opposition with a voice soon and they'll do a better job than the ConDems.”
by justsaying
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 10:00AM
“"Councillor Beasant said that local residents had planned to use the fence to create an enclosed space in that corner of the park and turn it into a sensory garden."
Council leader Chris Shaw (Lab, Sidney Sussex) said that it was not common practice to consult ward councillors on routine "day to day operations" such as the removal of surplus fencing.
But he added that the plan had been mentioned to Councillor Terry Walker (Lab, East Marsh), who had raised no objections."
Obviously Cllr Shaw's Labour colleague Cllr Walker is not in as in touch with what is going on in his ward as Cllr Beasant (Lib Dem). Either that or he knows that he should agree with his Labour leader if he knows what is good for him!”
by davendogs
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 9:27AM
“Grant Thorold is not a locked park. That section is close enough to a junction that traffic will not be moving that quickly. It poses less risk than other places. Planting a row of shrubs would surfice. That area also has speed bumps/ traffic calming measures in place. Bleasants is pulling his usual frumpy look and a air of indignation.”
by GerrySixties
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 9:14AM
“Very interesting that Cllr Shaw should feel it unimportant to inform ward councillors of ward issues such as this. Only days ago Cllr Shaw was indicating that he made decisions as the elected person and not unelected officials. So just who is running NELC? The law says it is councillors. So how can councillors run the council when officers do as they please as they clearly did in this instance?”
by justsaying
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 9:13AM
“Cllr Shaw seems to think that being the leader of the council is like being the mayor of NELC in the internet game or running a toy railway. Will someone tell him that his job is not an imaginary game - he is affecting the lives of real people.”