High Woods playground criticised over poor wheelchair accessibility

Gerard Oxford, who is disabled, visited the new adventure playground in High Woods Country Park, which was opened last week.

The site, which was part of £130,000 of Section 106 contributions, incorporates “advancements in design and inclusivity” according to the council.

However, Mr Oxford, who is a council alderman and Highwood resident, has disputed the facility's accessibility.

Gerard Oxford pictured with wife Beverley (Image: Newsquest)

He said: “The green path only goes part way into the playground and all the play equipment is raised and inaccessible to wheelchairs.

“There are no pieces of equipment accessible to children in wheelchairs.

“When I tried the path, it is very spongy which leads me to wonder about its longevity - time will tell.

“People also asked me if the council consulted disability groups but given not one piece is accessible to children in wheelchairs, they continue to be excluded, which is sad.

“It’s a shame our council fails to consider those who need wheelchair-accessible equipment so they can enjoy the equipment as others.”

Senior Countryside Ranger Sonya Lindsell, Tree and Country Park Manager Paul Cook and councillor Martin Goss, at the unveiling of the new High Woods Country Park playground (Image: Colchester Council)

Bosses at Colchester Council have now responded to Mr Oxford's concerns. 

A spokesman said: “We understand some people have raised concerns about the lack of wheelchair-accessible equipment and the spongy surface of the path.

“We want to assure everyone we consulted with the public and have considered the needs of all users when designing the playground.

“We worked to a limited budget and in the natural woodlands, which meant complete coverage of the playground with rubber-bonded material was not feasible.

“To help mitigate this, we put in a pathway around the entire area connecting both sides of the playground.

“This pathway provides an accessible surface for wheelchair users to access the playground.

Equipment at the new playground in High Woods Country Park (Image: Colchester Council)

“We have also included equipment, such as a basket swing, which is designed to be inclusive to children of all abilities.

“We understand the playground may not match the accessibility of an urban playground.

“However, we believe we have created a space that is as inclusive as possible, given the constraints of the site and budget.

“We are committed to providing accessible play spaces for all children.

“We will continue to monitor the playground and make any necessary adjustments in the future.”