An ‘ill-conceived’ new outdoor gym and ‘waste of money’ wooden fence which ‘ruins the view’ at Fort Victoria Country Park has triggered a backlash from residents.
‘Lip service’ was paid to the public, a public meeting about the facility heard yesterday (Wednesday), with frustration aired over a lack of consultation as well as fears around vandalism, litter and health and safety.
‘Lip service’ paid to public
The play fitness equipment was put in place at the weekend and according to the council, will be suitable for younger and older children, with wooden materials chosen to be consistent with its surroundings.
In a statement today, County Hall said officers have offered to hold an ‘engagement’ meeting after the election to support the ‘shared desire’ to improve the experience for visitors to the attraction, in Yarmouth.
Outgoing ward councillor, Peter Spink, who is not standing for re-election, told attendees there was ‘very little’ advance notice of what was to take place at the park, with ‘no meaningful consultation’.
One member of the public said,
“The expected good manners is for some form of consultation, which never transpired.
“Therefore, they paid lip service to us, the public who live here.”
Another attendee questioned whether there would be increased litter management during the school holidays, adding that she litter picks ‘frequently’ there.
She also asked whether there is a budget to keep equipment in good order if it gets vandalised or damaged.
‘Ill-conceived idea’ slammed by residents
A third described the gym as an ‘ill-conceived idea’, saying it’s ‘not needed at all’. She said,
“If you’re going to put it somewhere, you put it on a designated place like a big play park, like a park like we’ve already got in Totland, or you’ve already got in Yarmouth, and you enhance that area.
“I think it’s got to April, I think the county council have got spare money they’ve been given, and they haven’t spent it and so they’ve got to spend, we’ve got to spend it somewhere, let’s go and do that…”
The woman’s remarks were met with a chorus of approval and ‘yes’ as she spoke.
A third attendee voiced concern over a lack of soft surface and said at this time of year the ground is like ‘concrete’.
He said it’s not for children, adding,
“It’s equipment for adolescents…older adolescents and for adults. The instructions on the side are all pictures of adults.”
Fence ‘ruins the view’
There was also criticism of a wooden fence along the sea wall which according to Councillor Spink was completed a short time before the gym installation.
A woman told the meeting,
“There’s no need for the fence right the way around, it ruins the view, it’s a waste of money, it doesn’t stop dogs getting in, people can climb through it – it’s just not serving a purpose at all.”
Councillor Spink said he had raised it with the council who cited erosion to the sea wall and justified it on ‘public protection’ grounds.
Council pledges post-election engagement
An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said,
“The council is within the pre‑election period, during which officers must take particular care to remain politically neutral and to avoid correspondence or engagement that could reasonably be perceived as influencing or responding differentially to councillors who are standing for re‑election.
“Officers have offered to hold an engagement meeting after the election to support the shared desire to improve the experience for visitors.”
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
