Sporting-Lincs Forum

[divingbrit]

If a sign in a park says 'playing fields' it is usually reasonable to assume you may see children having a kickabout or an impromptu game of cricket being played.

One council, however, has ripped up the rule book and slapped a ban on all ball games on its playing fields - due to health and safety fears.

Any thoughts of fresh air and exercise were banished from Walsall Council's Broadway Playing Fields, after a sign went up announcing 'No ball games allowed'.

The council claims the ban has been introduced for health and safety reasons as part of the park in on a landfill site - although it has refused to say what the risks may be.

Obesity experts have branded the move 'plain stupid' and criticised the West Midlands council for restricting children's exercise on the vast field.

Tam Fry, chairman of the Child Growth Foundation and spokesperson for the National Obesity Forum, said: 'It's absolutely unbelievable - particularly when you have people across Walsall and Sandwell bending over backwards to do something about child obesity.

'The area is a hot-spot for obesity and at one point was the capital of it in England. Recreation - running around and getting sweaty and playing football - is an absolute must for children.

'They should be allowed to get their 60 minutes worth of exercise a day - and they should get this at the nation's parks and playing fields. Councils should be encouraging children to exercise, rather than discouraging it with these stupid signs.'

Parents are now worried that the contradictory sign could discourage children from exercising at all or if they do could be fined for doing what comes naturally on a town playing field.

David Jones, a 40-year-old builder said he couldn't stop laughing when he first noticed the sign.

The father-of-two said: 'April Fools has been and gone, they are a little late aren't they. It's daft, how can you have a playing field and not play any ball games, the clue is in the title 'playing fields'.

'They've lost the plot, and confused a bunch of us. My boy wants to go and play footie on it, we're not sure if that's illegal or not. But we want children playing and exercising and one of the best way to do it is with a ball, so what are they to do - Stay in doors and play video games?

'They say it's to do with it being built on a landfill site - but whats the difference to playing a game of football and running around playing hide and seek or frisbee.'

Helen Howard, a 30-year-old sales manager from Walsall said she couldn't believe how 'stupid' her local council could be.

The mother-of-two said: 'How ridiculous can you get, the name playing fiel suggests you should be able to play on them, and what do you normally play? You play football, tennis, or even throw a ball for your dog.

'So what are you supposed to do just sit on it. And I bet if they had the chance they would fine you at the drop of a hat. I've got two kids, but I make sure I send them off to a different playing field, because I don't want them getting in trouble.'

In a statement issued by Walsall Council, Nigel Ilsley, Walsall Council Parks Manager, said: 'A sign saying no ball games was put up a few years ago on Broadway West playing fields after land contamination was discovered at the site.

'The playing fields remain popular and a number of events are hosted there but unfortunately we have had to stop ball games taking place on the site for health and safety reasons.

'Walsall Council in conjunction with Walsall Star Sports Club is continuing to explore funding opportunities which would allow us to carry out the necessary work to bring the site back into use.'

The council refused to explain exactly what the health and safety concerns were or what dangers ball games posed compared to other traditional games like 'hide and seek' or 'tig'.


Source
www.dailymail.co.uk