Children forced out of a school field where they have played for years are organising petitions to try to win a change of heart.

A sports field at Notley High School, Braintree, has been surrounded by fencing - preventing youngsters and residents from using it outside school hours.

So far, 108 people in neighbouring Lister Road have signed the petition organised by Vanessa Halkett and Tammy Redford, to be presented to the school.

One resident, Steve Robbins, 39, said that youngsters were now being forced to play in Lister Road where there were traffic dangers.

"The school did not consult the community," he said.

"They decided to fence off the whole field to all and sundry.

"Everyone has played on it. In good weather, children used it for picnics. Neighbours would use it for knocking a golf ball around. We just woke up one morning to find a fence there. It's a four or five feet chain-link fence, and in other areas a six foot steel structure.

"I've contacted Essex education and the school and had no reply to the question 'Why?' When they put the fence up, it pushed all the children on to Lister Road or a little green on the estate," said Mr Robbins.

Braintree district and county councillor Roger Walters said: "I fully appreciate the position the head teacher is in, but fencing off the area without having spoken to locals has given them problems."

Cllr Walters was hoping that a meeting could be arranged with the head, John Hartley, in the next few days.

No one was available to comment this week at Notley High School.

Published Friday, May 30, 2003

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