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Mums anger at ‘dangerous’ table
Mums at Broadwalk playing fields, Darley Dale
Mothers are united in their call to get rid of a piece of play equipment, which they believe is dangerous.
Rebecca Strutt, of Whitworth Avenue, Darley Dale, was joined by fellow mums whose children use the Broadwalk ‘Tippin’ playing fields, in condemning the new concrete ping pong table when it was placed in the play area, off Butts Road, two months ago.
She thought the table was in a dangerous position – but felt her point was proven when her little boy William bumped his head on it, having to be taken to the Whitworth Hospital to have the wound glued.
The brave two–year–old bore the injury well, however his mum was angered that he should have got it at all.
“It’s an almighty concrete table that no one uses,” she said.
“They took out an old climbing frame in the shape of a digger that the children used to enjoy playing on when they put it in.”
She said her youngster was on his scooter going from the slides to the swings when he hit the table, which caught him just above his right eye.
“It could have taken his eye out,” she continued.
“Little ones just want to run everywhere and its in the way.
“It’s just at the right height to catch them as well.”
Derbyshire Dales District Council installed the table after securing £60,000 of funding to help improve opportunities in its parks for disabled youngsters.
The scheme also included roundabouts with wheelchair access and adapted picnic benches.
A council spokesman said: “First, we absolutely understand Rebecca’s concern following her son’s accident, which was unfortunate.
“Any play equipment installed by the district council has to comply with strict safety regulations, but we’re happy to look again at the layout in the Butts Road play area to see if any improvements can be made.
“One indisputable fact however is that the table tennis table is not a moving piece of equipment.
“Neither is it an area of this facility where a scooter would usually be ridden – the table is set apart from the general play area.
“In the middle of the Paralympics it’s a great time to enable disabled children to play alongside able–bodied friends and family members.”
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Weather for Bakewell
Thursday 20 June 2013
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 13 C to 18 C
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