Over 400 repairs needed to children's playgrounds in Glasgow

More than 400 repairs on children’s playground equipment in Glasgow need to be carried out, with one West End park shut for a year over issues.

Councillor Lana Reid-McConnell said Thornwood Park play area has only recently reopened after being shut for a year, after getting new equipment.

She also pointed out that there are about five or six pieces of equipment that are “completely unusable” in Victoria Park.

The Green local politician called for more blacksmiths to fix equipment and a stronger action plan to respond to broken structures in playgrounds, as she queried the levels of issues across Glasgow at yesterday’s full council meeting.

In response, Councillor Laura Doherty said: “As of the week of June 22, there are 432 outstanding repairs to play equipment across the city, with around 2,500 items in total. These repairs vary in scale, and many pieces remain safe to use whilst those works are scheduled.”

The convenor for neighbourhood services and assets added: “We take a risk-based approach with safety always the priority. Urgent issues are dealt with quickly and where necessary equipment is removed straight away. ”

The SNP local politician added: “Lower risk repairs are planned as part of ongoing maintenance. Play areas are inspected regularly in line with national standards, including routine checks several times a week, with increased inspections during busy periods such as the summer holidays.”

She told the full council meeting: “We have also strengthened our inspection programme by training additional staff and improving how we track and prioritise repairs.”

She added: “We know how important play spaces are for children and families, especially over the summer, and we will continue to carry out regular inspections and maintenance across all sites to keep them safe and in good working order.”

Responding to the update, Councillor Reid-McConnell described the playgrounds as “such an important free resource”.

Acknowledging the “really good work happening”, she added: “We need more blacksmiths across the city.”

She also called for a “better procurement system” and suggested having “common pieces of equipment in stock”, allowing rapid response.

Councillor Doherty said she is happy to take the points on board.