Ref. 28130-03RESIDENTS are demanding the council paves over a playground that has become a haven for unruly youths.

Father-of-two Graham Carter, who lives in Jefferies Avenue, in the Headlands area of Swindon, says that the playground, which backs on to his house, has become a no-go area for young children because of anti-social behaviour.

Mr Carter, a former Evening Advertiser employee, said: "Many youths see the area as a sanctuary because they are largely out of sight.

"They feel virtually immune from any control while they are there.

"The situation is worse in the two hours either side of dusk. I have two children aged nine and eleven and I would never dream of letting them play there."

The residents have listed a host of problems including: underage drinking, drug abuse, sexual activity, swearing, motorcycles using the area and glass bottles being thrown.

Mr Carter says residents have made several attempts to get Swindon Council to close the park, but all have failed.

Now he has written to Michael Wills, MP for North Swindon.

"The council's reaction has either been to deny the problem exists - as if we are not the best people to judge - or to claim it is a police matter," said Mr Carter.

But he insists the problems should be tackled by Swindon Council.

He said: "It is a matter of where the playground is sited, not how it is policed."

Coun Teresa Page, (Lab, St Philip) is backing the residents.

She said: "As I understand, the playground is very rarely used.

" I think it is damning when a dad can not take his children to their local playground, which is a stone's throw from their house, because of the problems."

Martin Hambridge, the council's lead parks and amenities manager, confirmed that he would look into the matter again, but he effectively ruled out relocating it.

He said: "We have taken the residents' comments on board.

"Unfortunately, to relocate it would cost somewhere in the region of £50,000.

"And of course there is no guarantee that the youths wouldn't just move there.

"If the community do want it removed then we may be able to do that but it is important to understand that there is a shortage of facilities like this in Swindon."

Mr Hambridge also expressed his reluctance to put up fencing around the outside.

He said: "Children need to be free, by putting a fence around you will be making it a zoo."

Meanwhile approval was granted at Thursday's Area Panel East meeting for a £40,000 revamp of the Lordsmith Green play area in Park South. Work is expected to begin in the spring.

Kevin Shoesmith