Concern as East Lothian council workers ‘dump’ plastic in Neilson Park in Haddington

Council workers in East Lothian who piled bark from trees during renovation work have come under fire after plastic webbing was left in a playpark.

Parents raised concerns over pieces of the black plastic webbing which could be seen sticking out of the piled up bark at Neilson Park in Haddington.

East Lothian Council denied claims the materials were dumped by workers who are carrying out the work on the popular playpark, which is situated next to the Haddington Primary School complex.

A spokesperson said workers would rake the bark “in due course” and remove any pieces of plastic in it.

The work to replace 20-year-old play equipment at Neilson Park is due to be completed next month as part of the local authority’s ongoing maintenance work.

Hundreds of youngsters have been involved in designing the new play area, which is aimed at pre-school children to teenagers.

The new equipment is expected to include a wheelchair accessible roundabout.

However the work has seen tonnes of bark used to cover the play area moved in amongst trees at the edge of the park, with pieces of the webbing which lay underneath it sticking out.

One mum whose child uses the park, which is closed while the work is being carried out, said: “We’ve been passing every day and getting excited about seeing what comes but when we saw the bark dumped among the trees I was shocked.

“The black plastic is poking out and clear to see. We are trying to teach our kids about how bad plastic is and they are seeing council workers dump it in their park.”

Another mum added: “My kids love playing hide and seek among the trees and now they are going to be blocked by these piles of mulch and whatever else.

“I know the bark will eventually compost down but the plastic will not.”

A council spokesperson said: “The woodchip has not been “dumped” but is being recycled and used as a mulch around the trees to reduce weed growth.

“The Haddington squad will rake this out in due course and remove any of the barrier material included.

“These are part of the works currently underway to remove old equipment from the play area and installing an assortment of new equipment catering for a range of age groups from pre-school to teenagers. ”